Boat Race Bumped
The date of next year's Boat Race has been announced - for the third time in its history the race will take place on a Sunday, and for the first time ever at 6pm in the evening.
Allegations have been made that the later scheduling of the event was influenced by the BBC in an attempt to maximise its audience ratings, but Caroline Searle, press officer for Putney to Mortlake (the company who co-ordinate the event) denied that this is the case. She said that the decision was reached in consultation with not only the BBC but a number of other authorities including the police and the boat clubs themselves, and that it was based primarily upon the movement of the tides. It is however hoped that the record figure of 7.7 million viewers will increase further next year.
Matt Smith, President of Oxford University Boat Club, is not concerned about the change of time. He told the OxStu that the decision "will not impact their preparations in any way".
The University Boat Race will take place for the 150th time next year. Began in 1829, the race became an annual fixture 30 years later, and remains a popular event.
12th Jun 2003