While we were unable to see the live webcast on this side of the pond, Tim Marcovy convinced a local pub ( O’Reilly’s in Cleveland Heights) to open early today so we could view the coverage on ESPN-U. About 25 local rowers showed up to watch ITV1’s live coverage. It seemed very appropriate that it was held at one of the few places in town that pours an imperial pint of Guinness correctly.

This was simply the best coverage of a rowing race I’ve ever seen. Each shell had a small camera on a stalk behind the coxswain. This camera could be rotated to view the other shell. The coxswains were miked as well. It also appeared that those running the video knew about rowing and what angles to show. I got the biggest kick from the stroke rate shown for each crew on the bottom of the screen throughout the race. I am just awe at the ability shown by these crews. They made rates of 35-40 look like a casual row. It was the first time watching a regatta that we were just stunned by the technical ability of the crews. The excellent race coverage brought this out and allowed one to see it, where as in the Olympic or Worlds races, the camera cuts away too quickly and is taken from such a distance that one doesn’t get a good view of the technique.

A video stream of the race coverage I’m writing about is at:
http://www.itvtheboatrace.premiumtv.co.uk/page/Video/0,,12539,00.html

It was also nice to see the wide spectrum of rowers in attendance today at our viewing of the Boat Race. The usual hard-core masters group was present, but the audience also included a large group of rowers that have recently come up to our competitive masters program from our summer rowing league. Some local scullers and members of the Case Western University Crew rounded out the audience. Marcovy is head coach of the latter, although I doubt attendance got them out of any ergometer work this morning.

Quote of the race – I’m not sure which commentator said it:

Bodies are asking ‘why’?
The mind has no answer
-but the spirit is willing.

After today, I’m ready to row NOW. Too bad there’s 5 inches of snow on the ground.