Press Cuttings File 2000

If you are aware of any press reports available without subscription on the World-Wide-Web, please let me know. Please remember that unstable links are a waste of everyone's time so don't send them in until you are sure that they are here to stay.

Return to The Rowing Service or the index of New Information, where the most recent clippings are kept.

Rowing magazines and journals:

• New Zealand Rowing Magazine.
• Independent Online Sports Index.
• Regatta Magazine online (all stories from that indexed on the site, not here.
• Gig and Rowing Magazine.

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DECEMBER 2000

• There has been a terrible accident during the Oxford University men's lightweights training camp in Spain on Friday: full story here.
• Today's press links: Oxford rower's sister joins parents in Spanish river search and Boat club prepares for training trip as search for rower goes on (both Ananova/PA newswire), Sir Steve's American dream (Independent exclusive, Nick Townsend).
• Congratulations, Sir Steve!. The entire set of Olympic gold medallists has been awarded gongs in the New Years' Honours List (UK). All nine of the British men's eight are now MBE, as are James Cracknell and Tim Foster. Matthew Pinsent, already MBE, now adds CBE to his titles, and as suspected by half the country (and 99% leaked on Radio FiveLive yesterday evening), the golden boy is now Sir Steven Redgrave, MBE, CBE, PhD (honorary doctorate in Civil Law from Durham University). Press links: Olympic heroes lead honours list (BBC), Knighthood seals Redgrave's awesome year (Telegraph), Redgrave heads list of populist honours (The Times), Olympic champions begin a second lap of honour (Independent), Knighthoods For Milligan And Redgrave (Guardian), Gongs for stars of Sydney Olympics (Guardian).
• Press links to the missing rower story in today's papers: Oxford rower feared dead as freak wave swamps boat (Telegraph), Oxford oarsman lost on Spanish river (The Times), Parents join search for missing rower (The Times breaking news), Oxford rower is feared dead in training accident (Independent), Oxford rower feared dead on Spanish river (Guardian), Parents Of Missing Oxford Rower Fly To Spain (Guardian breaking news), Parents join search for missing oarsman (BBC breaking news, with quotes).
• December 29th. Public news tonight on the missing OULRC oarsman: Oxford oarsman missing (BBC), Rower goes missing in Spain (ITN), and Rower missing in Spain (Sky News).
• December 21st. Steve Redgrave did, of course win the Today programme's Heroes and Villains poll.
• A piece I missed in the UK Sunday Telegraph this week: Forgotten hero of Olympics will renew quest for gold. The very best of luck to Ed for the future.
• December 18th: a review in BBC Online of Steve Redgrave: A Golden Age. The BBC also have a story from Saturday about Cracknell and Flood winning their respective trials - more or less a straight lift from the BIRO press release...
• December 15th: a recent article about Tim Foster's back injury and scan.
• December 14th - 'Mr. Olympics' receives more accolades - a piece on the FISA website about Steve Redgrave being voted European Time Magazine's Sportsman of the Year, above Marion Jones and Tiger Woods.
• And from the same source, Argentina tops South American Championships. Having rowed on the Tigre, I'm extremely impressed that they managed to close the river and hold a major event there. The 'normal' course is about 1000 metres, if you don't want to go round a corner.
• An old link I missed last week: Hammer claw way back to win trials from the Times (UK) on the OUBC race. And another from earlier this week by the Independent, The 2001 sea odyssey. The day before that, Backstage gurus make inroads on neglect, which includes a story I first heard Matthew Pinsent relate in 1994, about Jurgen Grobler.
• Today's only visible UK press link about Henley Royal: Henley gain for women (Geoffrey Page, Telegraph).
• UK press links: Crews locked in trial event (The Times), Fafner beaten in Cambridge upset (Telegraph), Hirst power gives rivals early trial blues (Independent).
• Later update: Redgrave tops BBC vote (Telegraph), Redgrave wins elusive sports award (Times), Peerless Redgrave rewarded for capturing public's admiration"> (Times), Redgrave voted Sports Personality of the Year (Independent). There is also a RealAudio clip on the BBC of his acceptance speech, and a report - Champion's long wait is over plus Redgrave voted Britain's best, on the same site, plus a RealAudio interview with the four and Jurgen Grobler.
• Plus, UK press snippets from last week: Grobler rewarded for British rowing success (Telegraph), Eights on trial for Boat Race (Telegraph), Smith burns 'Tongs' away (Telegraph), Cambridge look to West (Telegraph), Why coaches need coaching - by Redgrave (Independent, by Redgrave's co-author Nick Townsend), Hammer beats off Tongs for Oxford.
• Steve Redgrave has been talking to that blessedly rowing-supportive journalist Brian Viner in the Independent: Redgrave earns Britain's golden handshake.

  NOVEMBER 2000

• In today's Times, Thompson adds to Australian influence (Mike Rosewell) plus a preview of the Wingfield Sculls (heats today) - all UK.
• Press links outstanding (UK): Banks to leave Amateur Rowing Association (The Times), Cracknell refuses to crack indoors (Telegraph), Bishop regroups before taking on the world (The Times), Obituary: Professor Alastair Cameron (The Times), Obituary: John Morrison (The Times), From medal to muddle in a week (Jonathan Gornall in the Times), and Seeing a shrink about former glory, glory (The Times).
• Steve Redgrave elected VP of the BOA (Telegraph).
• And the Telegraph also has a "My Bookmarks" for Steve. He may have chosen the links, but I'd be willing to bet he didn't write the blurb - it's too breathily enthusiastic about various commercial sites, and doesn't reference the Supersprint Rowing site at all, despite talking about it.
• November 14th: an item about Tiger Woods in Hyde Park (UK).
• A streamed video clip of Steve Redgrave being interviewed by John Inverdale in the BBC "On Side" TV programme last year.
• November 12th: more on the Dick Tonks appointment (NZ) from the New Zealand Herald.
• November 10th: Rowing New Zealand's news on their new coaching appointment, the official version.

  OCTOBER 2000

• Steve Redgrave, five-time Olympic champion, has finally announced his retirement from international competition. Some added detail on the Scottish ARA website (link now fixed) and on BBC Online.
• In the (UK) Times today, Rowing riding wave of popularity, which nicely steals a march on an imminent Regatta Magazine article!
• In the Telegraph on Saturday, An irresistible pull, by one of their feature writers, including much about Auriol Kensington Rowing Club in London (UK).
• There is a rumour of Agostino Abbagnale (ITA M4x) being part of a series of positive drug tests following the Olympics. FISA's website has nothing yet, but the Sydney Morning Herald reports Gold medal winners 'failed' hormone tests concerning the allegations.
• UK press links: Top British coach sent on his way (Geoffrey Page, Telegraph), and Rejected Spracklen ponders next move (Mike Rosewell, The Times).
• UK press links: Sprint win gives Britain more glory (Mike Rosewell, Times), Retiring Redgrave rows on regardless (Lynne Truss, Times), Redgrave remains coy about final curtain call (John Goodbody, Times on Saturday), The final flood of emotion (Andrew Longmore, Independent yesterday), Redgrave basks in public acclaim (Sarah Edworthy, Telegraph), Redgrave is feted like fifth Beatle (Owen Slot, Telegraph), Redgrave keeps his blades sharp (Chris Dodd, Guardian), Redgrave maintains Sydney momentum (Phil Halliday, FT), and Redgrave back with a win (BBC).
• Today's BBC rowing news - Pinsent reunited with gold medal (the story all unfolded during today).
• I thought I'd put this up already, but clearly not: Trinity oarsmen snub Redgrave, in the Irish Times.
• NEW - Champions finally come down to earth - the Rowing Service exclusive on the British rowing team's return from Sydney, with photos.
• In Time Pacific (from yesterday, Kings' Row about Waddell, R and Redgrave, S.

  SEPTEMBER 2000

• For all Olympic and post-Olympic coverage, visit the British Rowing Olympic section.
• Friday's Times City Diary contains a snippet about a matter which has been disturbing some denizens of the Putney Embankment for a while.
• Today's "Athlete of the Day" on the official Olympics website is Rob Waddell (NZ sculler).

  AUGUST 2000

• Antonie gets call up (SportCentral Australia).
• Updates on the WireWeb Olympic page: Big Brother in Silvretta-Haus (Dot Blackie), The final hit (Guin Batten), I left behind what the race meant (Francesca Zino), and Dreamable, Achievable, Minimal (Alison Mowbray interviewed by Ali Gill). Note that these links will not remain stable but will eventually point to other articles.
• Cambridge rowers carry off consolation prize (Oliver August, The Times).
• British rowing links at the BBC: Foster's struggle to reach Sydney, Redgrave set for record books, Shining in the shadows, Don't underestimate us, and Rowing: the way it is.
• A link in Monday's Telegraph, After Lucerne setback, rowing crew are desperate to atone with the gold (Sarah Edworthy), and Unsung heroes go through pain barrier in Talking Sport.
• The result from the GBR women's sculling trial in Aiguebelette was that Gillian Lindsay, having won the trial, is now in the quad, putting Sarah Winckless in the double with Frances Houghton. More on The Massive and the ARA Olympic section.
• An online article about Xeno Muller called Swiss Action, by Chris Carlson. It's fascinating, but could be an entry for Pseud's Corner - as Xeno said in an email this morning, "It is a little over-glorified..."
• British press Worlds' links today: Taylor and Myers judge pace perfectly (Mike Rosewell, The Times) and Britain recover with double gold" (Geoffrey Page, The Telegraph).
• Bethan Bell, Tim Foster's girlfriend, writes interestingly in The Times about living with an Olympian in the buildup to Sydney.
• British press links today: More final positions secured by Britain (Mike Rosewell, The Times), and Wells and Langridge impress (Geoffrey Page, Telegraph).
• British press updates: Coxless four take two routes to final (Geoffrey Page, the Telegraph), and Britain finally start to pull their weight (Mike Rosewell, The Times).
• Australian press: a piece about the men's coxless four, and a heap of rowing stories on SportCentral Australia.
• British press links: Junior crews earn breathing space (Mike Rosewell, The Times), and Juniors continue success (Geoffrey Page, Telegraph). Thanks v. much everybody who sent the URL in.
• Press links today: Great Britain make early splash (Mike Rosewell, The Times), Coxed four set early pace for Britain (Geoffrey Page, Telegraph), Top form leaves no room for medallists in eight (AAP, SportCentral Australia).
• Aussie rowing press: Atlanta heroes behind eight ball (Sydney Morning Herald), Rivers of Gold (Sydney Morning Herald).
• British press links: Haining leads medal search (Mike Rosewell, The Times), and British coxed four look for a gold medal burst (Geoffrey Page, Telegraph).

  JULY 2000

• Long road has reward at its end (Melbourne Age), and Redgrave remains realistic over gold prospects (The Times).
• Ginn misses a chance to go for two in a row (Sydney Morning Herald), and Majestic in his Madness (Simon Barnes, Spectator - note the link is unstable and will point to a different article next week).
• Press clippings: Ginn forced to pull out of Olympics (ABC News), Olympic eights equation too tough for Germany? (WorldSport), Rowing tops funding list (NZ Herald), Rowing team decision delayed (ABC News yesterday).
• There are snippets in most of the UK newspapers about the Doggets Coat & Badge result: it was won by Billy Rickner in 24:05, from Richard Kelly and Kate Saunders. A much better report in the Indy, but alas not online: I'll ask Hugh if I can copy it out.
• Press links today: Scott & Weightman concede pair (AAP), Rowing team in confusion after World Cup win (ABC News), Waddell pwers way to Gold (New Zealand Herald), Belarus doping duo could lose Olympic medals (SOCOG), and an interesting piece about the Net: Fear of cyber war has SOCOG looking over the AOC's shoulder (Sydney Morning Herald).
• Press from Monday: Fearless Redgrave prepares for Sydney (BBC); Tuesday: Long's long road has its turning (Sydney Morning Herald), Two More Canadian Crews to go to Sydney (AAP), Green says Tomkins must get pair spot (AAP), Redgrave shoulders blame for defeats (Independent, Hugh Matheson), Redgrave four can still win (Telegraph, Geoffrey Page).
• Yesterday's Four defeated but Crackers gets gold report from Chris Dodd in Lucerne, together with a results round-up.
• Press galore - Three rowers test positive for banned drugs (AAP yesterday), Britain qualify despite rare defeat (BBC, Saturday), Redgrave's crew suffer final defeat (BBC, Sunday - and watch out, BBC - you may be open to a copyright suit from Down Under after one phrase you used...), Rowing Long shortens his odds (Sydney Morning Herald), Rowers banned for life (BBC, Sunday), Selectors delay naming pair (SMH again), Redgrave's four sign off for Sydney with shock defeat (Page, Telegraph), Redgrave beginning to look his age (Matheson, Indy), Redgrave's Oarsome Foursome beaten into fourth place (Dodd, Guardian), Redgrave looks on bright side after Britain's first reverse (Rosewell, Times).
• Press round-up: Reign ends in the rain for Redgrave and Co (Page, Telegraph), Redgrave crew take losing route to final (Rosewell, Times), Rare taste of defeat for the golden boys (Matheson, Independent), Rare defeat for famous four (Topolski, Observer).
• Redgrave and co rumbled in the rain - Chris Dodd reports on a shock during the Saturday semi-finals in Lucerne.
• In Britain, the Press Association and Daily Express are carrying rowing reports this weekend courtesy of Brit journalist Robert Treharne Jones. For the Express, you must have cookies enabled (damn them).
• Other UK press: Fewsome aim to be gruesome (an extended article on the Australian 4- by Sue Mott, Telegraph), All British crews make it through to day two (Mike Rosewell, Times), Pinsent piqued as choppy waters test four (Hugh Matheson, Independent).
• In the Australian press, Aussie rowing ready for major row(Rupert Guinness, The Australian), and Swiss Guide leads tourists to medals (Sydney Morning Herald). And U.S. will have crew in each rowing class (CNNSI from Thursday), New Zealand Rowers Miss Out on qualifying (NZ Herald).
• Afternoon update: Raining on the Rotsee parade, Chris Dodd's report on this afternoon's racing at Lucerne, with a round-up of progressions so far.
• Press calls: Coxless fours face their final rehearsal (G Page, Telegraph), Winckless forced out by injury (M Rosewell, The Times), Women's Double Make It (NZ Herald), Slow start for Kiwi rowers (NZ Herald), Antonie retires (Sydney Morning Herald), Redgrave faces Olympic rehearsal (H Matheson, Independent).
• News round-up from the qualification racing in Lucerne - Mowbray books her Sydney ticket (Geoffrey Page, Telegraph), Eyre pushes eight into Sydney place, and Antonie invests in one last fling (Alex Brown, Sydney Morning Herald), Aussies grab surprise Olympic berth (SMH again). Full race results, details and a more detailed international report are on the FISA World Rowing website.
• Cheats up the creek by Alex Brown in the Sydney Morning Herald, Crews close in on Sydney by Geoffrey Page in the Daily Telegraph, Mowbray secures her chance by Mike Rosewell in the Times, and only a snippet in brief for the Guardian.
• Aussie rowing press - 'Demon' cox dies (Sydney Morning Herald), and bit on SportCentral (need frames).
• In Worldsport online, Searle reveals a Sydney secret.
• In Time Magazine there is a piece on Redgrave - On Golden Ponds, by Kate Noble.
• In the Australian press, Worldsport's round-up with some good articles and interviews, Rowing Australian 8 wins at Henley (AAP), and a more stable version of the same article (Sydney Morning Herald), and in the BBC's website, Redgrave rules Henley's waves, including a good comment from 5Live's Richard Phelps about Debbie Flood's unprecedented win over Maria Brandin.
• In the British print press there's Redgrave and crew earn celebration (Mike Rosewell, The Times), Redgrave and Co taken to the limit (Geoffrey Page, Telegraph), Redgrave inspires Leander to victory (Hugh Matheson, Independent), Redgrave is the toast of Henley again (Chris Dodd, Guardian), Duo eye Olympic glory after Henley win (Evening Standard).
• Today's press links: Unbeaten Leander crew facing a stern final test (Geoffrey Page, Sunday Telegraph), Redgrave still king of the left bank (Eddie Butler, Observer).

  JUNE 2000

• Press links at HRR: Germans flash blades (Geoffrey Page, Telegraph), Germany make heavy work of lightweights (Mike Rosewell, The Times), more later.
• Schools for scandal, some of the stories from Thursday and Friday at the Royal Regatta.
• Today's British press links: Molesey impress as eights rise to challenge (Hugh Matheson, Independent), London hold off American charge (Geoffrey Page, Telegraph), and Selected crews remain on course (Mike Rosewell, The Times), and from yesterday, Clubs in action (RQ, Rowing Service).
• Press links today: Small fry given chance to shine in Henley waters (Mike Rosewell, The Times), Windsor take on elite in borrowed boat (Michael Wade, The Times), Redgrave causes stir at Henley (Geoffrey Page, Telegraph), Australians ready to test Redgrave resolve (Hugh Matheson, Independent), and Redgrave due another lap of honour at Henley (Chris Dodd, Guardian).
• Today's British rowing press carry Seconds out for Henley consolation (Geoffrey Page, Telegraph), and Buoyant image lives on at Henley (Mike Rosewell, The Times).
• From Australia, Tomkins and Ginn sound Olympic intentions, and Slovene beats single sculls champion Waddell in major upset from the Vienna semi-finals.
• New Zealand press gets in on the act with NZ rowers in the medals.
• British papers yesterday carried Britain's crews follow in wake of Redgrave by Mike Rosewell in the Times, Britain strikes rich gold seam by Geoffrey Page in the Telegraph, and Pinsent helps to set the standard by Hugh Matheson in the Independent.
• In Germany, Der Gentleman der Skiffiers about Rob Waddell, and Schweizer Boote in Schwarz-Weiss about the Vienna round of the World Cup last weekend.
• Solid stuff from the men, but queasy for the women, Chris Dodd's report from the final day at the Vienna round of the FISA World Cup.
• Now in, Chris Dodd's Saturday report from Vienna: Under pressure, as the British team tackle the repechages and semif-finals.
• The first report from British Rowing website is now in. For the Vienna World Cup round, Rock The Boat are sponsoring Chris Dodd's articles for the Rowing Service.
• Stiff opposition for Olympic hopefuls by Mike Rosewell in the Times today.
• Weeds being removed from rowing, kayak venue in CNNSI (Australia).
• In yesterday's Yorkshire Post (UK), Surging forward: Doncaster Rowing Club boys on the River Don.
• In Worldsport online, Redgrave bid for 19th Henley Title.
• Various Aussie news articles from the last couple of days: Weed no problems at Olympic Course, Weed control program underway at regatta, Features - Karen Tighe talks to Merv Wood (with long audio clip).
• Forgot to put in press links yesterday from the UK: Blackie is happy to recover rhythm in pairs (Hugh Matheson, Independent). The Telegraph had just a snippet, as did the Guardian, and the Times had nothing.
• (UK) In the Times, final bumps order for the Mays in Cambridge, but nothing about HWR, despite Mike Rosewell writing 400 words for them. If you object, UK readers please write to the sports editor - he's a die-hard footy fan and cuts rowing whenever a company wants to take out a full page of ads....
• An older Sydney Morning Herald (AUS) story from June 4th: Urgent work on centre's weed woes by Alex Brown.
• Old faces and new races, the Rowing Service report from Henley Women's.
• Ginn ready to row, Sydney Morning Herald, Australia.
• First May bumps results in the Times online (UK).
• In the Canadian Globe and Mail, Broken dreams, an excellent article by Samara Walbohm on the disappointment of a rowing career hit by injury.
• In Sunday's Times, Funding cut could sink medal hopes by Nick Pitt, and Gold and glorious by Mike Rosewell. Yesterday Rosewell had Britain collect gold to maintain unbeaten run, and the final places for the Oxford Eights bumps racing.
• In the Telegraph yesterday there was Pinsent keeps the best until last by Geoffrey Page, while the Independent's Hugh Matheson wrote Redgrave satisfied as Britain pull through.
• More on the epic infestation of Olympic weed from the Sydney Morning Herald (Australia).
• British Rowing now has the Saturday (Finals Day) racing report up from Chris Dodd at the finish line in Munich.
• In today's Times Coxless four get down to business as the World Cup kicks off for 2000.
• June 1st: a report in the New Zealand Herald on New Zealand rowers plotting to stay away from the Olympic village much as Redgrave and Pinsent did in Atlanta.

  MAY 2000

• A story from Australia about the Stephen Stewart joining his famous brothers in the National squad.
• The real reason Rachel is busy: Summer Eights start today in Oxford and The Times has speculated on the crews to watch out for.
• An interesting insight into the context of Greg Searle's experimentation with the single scull and subsequent seat in the GB 2- on the official Olympic website.
• From the Sydney Morning Herald last week, A third brother joins national coxless four team to fulfil a dream, by Alex Brown.
• Plenty of stuff on theMassive.com, including "Gold Diggers", an article on Ed Coode and Greg Searle, and news from the National Schools Regatta.
• From the Telegraph last week, Houghton partners Lindsay by Geoffrey Page (UK).
• From yesterday's Times (UK), Houghton steps up to win senior spurs by Mike Rosewell.
• In The Australian, Rowing joins selection dispute by Rupert Guinness.
• In the Sydney Morning Herald, McKay keeps going in oarsome career by Alex Brown (Australia).
• And Joyce aiming for final four at rowing selections by Melissa Woods.
• In the Pink, a lengthy article and interview with Dot Blackie and Cath Bishop (UK).
• Report on the British efforts in Belgium: Brookes lead run of success by Geoffrey Page, Telegraph.
• British press: Molesey in title defence (Geoffrey Page, Telegraph, Friday).
• Australian news: Antonie secures place for fourth Olympics (AAP).
• UK news article from last week: the story of the Durham women's crash in the Henley Standard.
• In the Sydney Morning Herald, Mighty Lighties' heavy-duty sacrifices to book date with destiny, by Grahame Timbrell (Australia).

  APRIL 2000

• Ideal incentive for Searle and Coode (Geoffrey Page, Telegraph).
• Rowing rivals face race-off, by Alex Brown, explains the next bit of the Oarsome Foursome/selection saga.
• Those addicted to the magazine Private Eye in the UK will notice that the Boat Race makes it into Pseud's Corner in the latest issue, courtesy of Master of the Florid Prose, Oliver Holt.
• An excellent piece in last Sunday's Independent entitled Legend is left to sweat it out as Foster comes in from cold by Andrew Longmore (UK). Thanks HJ.
• Australian Rowing Teams for World Cup (AAP online). Full team news on Rowing Queensland.
• An interesting piece on the FansOnly US College Sports site - Bears win exhibition dual race by 1.5 seconds. Apparently the "USA" crew consisted of the oarsmen competing for the fours and pairs seats this summer. The weather was good and the water flat (thanks M&J, spies on the shore....)
• Aussie press: Olympic Rowing course may be dredged (Tom Wald, AAP), Tasmania dips oar into debate over weeds (Alex Brown, Sydney Morning Herald), UTS Four Win Coxless Fours (Tom Wald, AAP), UTS to the four at selection trial (Alex Brown, Sydney Morning Herald).
• British press: Foster wins fours seat for Sydney (Geoffrey Page, Telegraph), Foster wins battle for fourth (Mike Rosewell, The Times), Foster reclaims his seat in Britain's coxless four (Pete Nichols, The Guardian).
• A rather strange story from the BBC's James Pearce, Redgrave fights for Olympic place, but the real rowing press have their eye more on the ball with: Foster humbles world champions (Geoffrey Page, Telegraph), Foster wins pole in race to Sydney (Chris Dodd, Guardian), Foster tilts selection balance his way (Mike Rosewell, The Times, plus brief results), and Redgrave finally defeated in pairs (Hugh Matheson, Independent). There's also a profile of Steve Redgrave on the FT.com pages (Kevin Wheatley).
• Meanwhile the Aussie press is also in a rowing frenzy: Surface tension in battle for Olympics berth (Alex Brown, Sydney Morning Herald), Weed decision not made until May (AAP), UTS crew step closer to foursome role (Melissa Woods, AAP/Reuters), and Doctors amputate eight toes from rescued French rower (AAP).
• More on the weed problem from Australia - Penrith Olympic Venue still unfit for Rowing (AAP) and Olympic trials for rowing started in Penrith (ABC News).
• From yesterday's UK papers, Foster brews up storm on three fronts (Bethan Bell, The Times) and Foster's return good news for Redgrave (Geoffrey Page, Telegraph).
• From the Sydney Morning Herald, A never-ending journey from rowing to road by Sue Peacock. You'll never see the task of trailing in quite the same light again...
• The Sydney Herald has good news - the canoeists are back at Penrith Lake and signs that the course will be useable for the Olympics look promising (Australia).
• A thoughtful piece by Oliver Holt of the Times (UK): Olympic equation is agony when two into four won't go.
• Rescue ends British rower's Pacific quest - Andrew Halsey's Pacific attempt ends after nine months at sea. On the BBC website, Starving rower rescued in Pacific news item, and on the Ocean Rowing website, details of attempts to help send him food last week, before this final dramatic outcome.
• More controversy Down Under: Rowing Regatta to go ahead at Penrith despite weed (Emma Thomas, AAP), Rowing coach says Penrith course weeds have to go (ABC News).
• In the Sydney Morning Herald, Frenchman quits bid to cross Pacific. Jo Le Guen's official page is here but has not yet been updated following this news.
• Monday Rant?: one of my worthy webmasterly colleagues came up with the following link, which is a little disrespectful to our beloved sport. Anyone who wishes to flame the paper concerned (Australian Financial Review) can write them a letter by email.

  MARCH 2000

• Aussie press - Weed may sink trials (Sydney Morning Herald), Weeds cause problems on kayak course (CNN/SI), Weed on Course (AAP).
• And, possibly more controversially, Oarsome Foursome not so awesome by John Gichigi of Allsport/Worldsport, interviewing Matthew Pinsent.....
• Late update today: There's more on the weed story, which may lead to rowing moving its next selection trials away from the Olympic course. Michael Weilson's radio report on this will be broadcast for about 5 minutes on his regular Sunday radio segment, at about 8:15 am Australian Eastern Standard Time Sunday April 2nd, and can also be heard live over the web at URL www.2ky.com.au.
• Australian press link, Lightweight Crews headed for Court (Melissa Woods, AAP).
• Australian news links - Weed the root cause of canoeists' problems (Sydney Morning Herald, Alex Brown), Kayaking course needs work before Games on the same subject (CNNSI), Ginn to miss selection regatta (AAP).
• From Monday's Times, Training for aches, pains and sleep deprivation - Jonathan Gornall's latest diary of training for the Atlantic Rowing Race 2001. More information on Ocean Rowing here, including the latest information on Andrew Halsey's Pacific attempt, currently being urgently resupplied.
• UK press at the end of this feverish rowing weekend: Tideway's Light Blue trend turned around (Sarah Edworthy, Telegraph), Dark Blues are rewarded for tenacity (Geoffrey Page, Telegraph), Women's Boat Race: Oxford joy complete (Geoffre Page, Telegraph), Sport on TV: BBC Boat Race crew get sinking feeling (Giles Smith, Telegraph), Dark Blue terriers triumph in memorable dogfight (Mike Rosewell, Times), Dancing to the tune of time and tide (Oliver Holt, Times), Oxford's anger ends years in wilderness (Hugh Matheson, Independent), Dark Blue women in control (Hugh Matheson, Independent), Dark Blues scratch their seven-year itch (Chris Dodd, Guardian).
• Post-Boat Race papers: Oxford ride out storm to swamp rivals (Owen Slot, The Telegraph), Dark Blues fight back to beat the odds and end seven years of defeats (Nick Pitt, The Sunday Times), Birthday boy Redgrave pushed to the limit (Sunday Times), The Dark Blues see the light at last (Andrew Longmore, The Independent), Oxford break losing streak (Dan Topolski, The Observer).
• In the British press, Heavy odds on the Light Blues' eighth, (Chris Dodd, The Guardian), Cop robbed of Thames title by super Chalupa (Dodd, Guardian), Cambridge bank on continuity (Mike Rosewell, The Times), Trying to turn the tide with positive thoughts (John Goodbody, The Times), Chalupa rises to challenge (Mike Rosewell, The Times), Oxford's hopes rest on Reid expertise (Hugh Matheson, Independent), Oxford heavyweights may tip scales (Geoffrey Page, Telegraph), The umpire strikes back (Sarah Edworthy, Telegraph), Karsten finishes in style (Geoffrey Page, Telegraph).
• Oxford drop hint of Middlesex preference (Geoffrey Page, The Telegraph), Olympic hopefuls aim to wrest title from Cop (Geoffrey Page, The Telegraph), Reid returns to action for Oxford (Mike Rosewell, The Times), Oxbridge rivals blending brain with brawn (Hugh Matheson, THe Independent).
• Press round-up: Oxford's early taste of success (Hugh Matheson, Independent), Power to determine result at a stroke (Mark Davies, Telegraph), Oxford unsettled by Reid illness (Geoffrey Page, Telegraph), Oxford stroke suffers setback (Mike Rosewell, The Times), Dark Blues take chance on lighter man Smith (Chris Dodd, The Guardian).
• Today's BoatRacey press links - Ayer enjoys difficult juggling act (John Goodbody, The Times), Contrasting crews lack ability of predecessors (Mike Rosewell, The Times), Dark Blues infused with rhythm o (Hugh Matheson, Independent), from yesterday Oxford show muscle at Boat Race weigh in (Phil Halliday, Financial Times), Dark Blues put trust in broadsword (Geoffrey Page, The Telegraph), and the Guardian has only a two-line snippet. A bit from the BBC though including some RealVideo and RealAudio, and a history synopsis. They are likely to put more up including interview soundbites, on and after the race day.
• UK paper round-up (Boat Race weigh-in yesterday): Oxford weight advantage could halt losing streak (Geoffrey Page, Telegraph), Bodies beautiful prepare to turn ugly on the Thames (Sarah Edworthy, Telegraph), Cambridge seeking short cut to success (Mike Rosewell, The Times), and Cambridge set for eight in a row (Chris Dodd, Guardian). Featureswise, Martin crafts and grafts his way to a Blue (Hugh Matheson, Independent).
• And a nice piece in the Independent about British Olympians being trained in handling the press.
• In today's UK papers, Redgrave's eight pipped by Geoffrey Page in the Telegraph.
• There is a rather serious allegation in an Independent on Sunday article which talks about drugs in Australian sport. Just bear in mind that the level of athletes being talked about is not stated...
• From Australia's Sportswatch column, the Olympic ticket "factbox" suggests that a large number of rowing tickets will be made available shortly. I hope this is true, but don't be disappointed if there has been a mix-up....
• Jo Le Guen left in the lurch - see bottom of article in today's Times.
• In the Sunday press, Williams to light blue touchpape by Geoffrey Page on the Cambridge men's Blue Boat, Heartbroken after missing the boat by Andy Ripley, Queen's win by a squeeze by Hugh Matheson in the Independent, and Priest of Blues' brotherhood by Andrew Longmore (ditto),
• From Friday's Telegraph, Baulked St Paul's forced to settle for three-way tie, on the UK Schools' Head.
• From Australia, the story Until Games begin SOCOG the center of attention (AAP).
• An interesting article in the Calgary Herald (Canada) of March 5th, Most successful people have failed: Laumann.
• Meanwhile the daily ABC-Australia news had Shark warning issued for Sydney Harbour this morning, just to worry everyone...
• The Sunday New York Times yesterday reviewed "A Hero for Daisy" (Martha Ackmann's article) (USA).
• Reportage from the UK Women's Head was pretty sketchy, apart from a few lines in the Torygraph, even less in the Times, and a decent length National squad upstaged by Hugh Matheson in the Independent. Try as they might, the journos are having a pretty hard time getting anything other than Boat Race preview into the British papers..

  FEBRUARY 2000

• In Sport Central, Australia, Sydney rower says Oarsome Foursome will compete, by Melissa Woods. And in the Sydney Morning Herald, Disparate precision, by Alex Brown, about the young pretenders. In The Age, Injured Ginn to miss nationals, by Wal Oakley.
• Caius look to avoid bumpy ride on Cam in today's Telegraph.
• From yesterday's Telegraph, James Cracknell's irregular column about being in the most-scrutinised rowing crew in Britain: Five into four won't go as coach plays mean poker game.
• News in the UK: UK man drowns after dragon boat capsizes (at Holme Pierrepont). Be warned, those who row there, that this will undoubtedly prompt a further enquiry into whether rowers should all wear lifejackets at Nottingham or not.... Reports in most British papers, including in the Telegraph.
• Several Australian links today (thanks Michael Wilson!): Oswald to replace Nebiolo as head of ASOIF, Ginn injury puts Foursome on ice by Alex Brown, Four's search for elusive gold leads them far from the madding crowd by Sue Peacock.
• Boat Race silly season starts again in the UK with the Challenge: Oxford's crew face a tall order by Geoffrey Page in the Telegraph, Stokes will stay on riverbank in 146th running of university challenge by Mike Rosewell (Times), and Olympics dilute quality of tideway talent by Malcolm Foster in the Indy.
• Friends face two-pronged battle in search for Atlanta redemption in the Sydney Morning Herald by Grahame Timbrell (Australia).
• A piece from last Saturday by Bethan Bell, Tim Foster's girlfriend, on Birthday boy who is hoping that his boat comes in, the Times.
• A piece from last week's Times on the ACE gene in athletes - Why intense training often does not work, by Nigel Hawkes (UK).
• Awesome search for fours leaves selectors at sea in the Sydney Morning Herald yesterday, (Australia).
• From The Age in Australia, Record field of eights aiming to tame Yarra, Wal Oakley, Friday.
• In finding the latest piece by James Cracknell in the Telegraph ("Ready for fireworks as rowers head towards landmark"), from January 3rd, I discover that yesterday's piecce by Tim Foster is missing. Anyone who actually finds it online please let me know.
• However, in the Times yesterday there was the regular update from Jonathan Gornall, It is not stretching a point to say flexibility can be a matter of life or death.
• A titchy piece about the Tigre regatta in the Anglo-Argentine Society newsletter.
• On Sportswatch in Australia, McKay gets first win with new partner (access very patchy).

  JANUARY 2000

• Australian rowing news: Premier's Cup is now safe with Banks in The Melbourne Age, Wal Oakley.
• Oarsome Foursome hit by accident: Ginn on ice in injury twist (Australia). Meanwhile their British rivals Redgrave and co., currently on a training camp, have been banned from all sorts of fun by their coach Jurgen Grobler, clearly fearing similar injury problems. So rugby, one of their favourites, is out of the picture, presumably along with hang-gliding, bull-fighting and all-in-wrestling.
• Frenchman poised for epic rowboat journey across Pacific on SportCentral: Le Guen, one of the ocean rowers from the 1997 Atlantic Team Challenge (he finished second with convicted murderer Pascal Blond)
• In today's Times, Oxford rowing club 'runs wild' in Spain, and in the Telegraph, Oxford rowers held after pushing boat out in Spain. There is a similar story in the Independent but it doesn't appear to be online.
• More on the Oarsome Foursome (Australia) in the Melbourne Age.
• Millennium madness....?!: news just breaking on the BBC radio webpages about "Oxford rowers arrested in Spain". It now appears it was the Oxford lightweight men, not the heavyweight squad as the BBC first suggested.
• From yesterday in the Independent (and in the context of today's news, perhaps from the ridiculous to the sublime), Redgrave's gilded pursuit of recognition, the Brian Viner interview. Indy articles now stay online.
• More news (what a day): from Australia Fourth member of Oarsome Foursome named.
• One of the best round-ups of the sporting century that I've read: 100 sporting legends, by David Miller, in the Telegraph. A great review of practically every major athlete of the 20th century.