One thing that a layman like myself never fully understands
about the Boat Race is how it comes that the Head of the River race in the afternoon is always won in better time than the University crews achieved in the morning. This year the disparity was parti- cularly striking, owing to the part played by L.M.B.C. (Lady Margaret, the St. John's College, Cambridge, boat club) in both races. The University race was virtually won by L.M.B.C., for no fewer than six out of the eight oarsmen were Lady Margaret men. That meant that the L.M.B.C., which was beaten by London Rowing Club for the headship of the river by five seconds was virtually a second boat. Yet the Cambridge time in the morning was 20 min. 15 sec. and the L.M.B.C. time in the afternoon 18 min. 52 secs. The explanation, I suppose, is wind and tide, for the course is the same, with the difference that the Universities row from Putney to Mortlake and the head of the river crews from Mortlake to Putney. It is a pity Cambridge can't meet London Rowing Club. Perhaps L.M.B.C. will at Henley.
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