CHAPTER 11

The Boat Race

The morning of April 7th dawned bright and sunny, with little wind and no chance of rain – perfect race conditions. Jess was incredibly excited and couldn't wait to be caught up in the day's events.

Usually, she and her parents watched the race on TV at home, not particularly interested in the outcome although the drama was spectacular. But this year it meant something a little more special. Now that she was a student at Cambridge University, she actually had a team to support and cheer for, and she was certainly not going to let the opportunity pass!

So before they'd made the journey down the afternoon before, Jess had bought a light grey University hoodie to wear with pride, showing everyone which team she was backing. She paired this with turquoise jeans for a nod towards the 'Light Blues' nickname of the Cambridge team.

Hannah bought temporary tattoos of the Boat Race logo for them to sport on their faces. It was a fun way of getting into the spirit of the race and Jess was all for it.

Although the race wasn't scheduled to begin until 4.30 that afternoon, they were at the finish line in front of Chiswick Bridge in Mortlake just after midday. Even then there were a significant amount of people there already, all eager to catch a glimpse of the dramatic final moment.

Screens were being set up which would display the Live television coverage from the start line from 3pm, and speakers were dotted around to allow the patient supporters at the end to follow and hear the boats' progress down the river.

Mark got them fish and chips from a nearby concession stand and they sat on the grassy bank researching the final crew selections on Jess's laptop before they were officially announced.

There was only one rower from Pembroke in the Cambridge team, 29-year-old Kevin Whea. He'd won Gold in the 2000 Sydney Olympics, Gold at the 2002 Seville World Championships, and then Silver the year after in Milan. Jess was impressed; these men were no amateur rowers! The Cambridge cox was Rachel Dowin, 13th female to cox the team.

Angela and Howard Parker joined them just before 3 o'clock. By then there were so many spectators, Jess had to duck and squeeze her way out from her position against the barrier to reach them. They would be standing further back with Debby and Mark for the race, not fond of being squished with the teenagers out at the front but nevertheless eager to watch the race.

Once back in her position at the front with Hannah, everyone around them cheered for their respective teams as the line-ups were announced and Jess and Hannah cheered extra loudly as the Cambridge crew members walked out one by one.

As the two boats were led to their start positions, the screens went over a run-through of the course, and everyone cheered again when it got to where they were at the finish. From the coin toss Cambridge had the Middlesex side on the right, meaning they would have the advantage of the final bend, a vital victory if they could hold their position.

The umpire signalled and the race began.

Immediately there was uproar of cheers and screams as everyone willed their chosen teams on. The boats were neck and neck until just before two minutes in when Oxford pulled in front after upping their speed to 40 strokes per minute. However, Cambridge pulled back level two minutes later.

"Come on!" Jess shouted excitedly at the screen.

"Rachel's doing very well in the Cambridge boat there; she's pushed Oxford right over to that left hand side. As I said before Oxford do have the advantage of the inside of the bend but as they come up beside Harrod's Depositary I think both crews are a long way over to that left hand side; I think Cambridge are in the driving seat."

Despite the speakers amplifying the sound from the screens, the commentators could barely be heard over the roaring of the crowd.

"Three punishing miles still to row. Bodies are asking why, minds have no answer but the spirit is willing, and the technique is metronomic, tirelessly rehearsed. Each stroke forensically broken down and built up again with the attention to detail of a Faldo golf swing: the outside shoulder, the inside shoulder, the core, the transfer of weight, the accuracy of the blade into the water, the commitment to length, clean catch, good finish. They're absolutely level!"

The boats were approaching the first major bend which would be in Oxford's favour on the inside for the next mile and a half. Both teams were amazingly neck and neck still. But after just under seven minutes, Oxford pulled ahead by one third of a length just before Hammersmith Bridge.

"This is turning into a good one! The underdogs have put in a shift here which has given them a chance. They've come round the outside of one bend, they now benefit from the inside of the next bend, and the pedigree in the Cambridge boat is gonna have to live up to reputation now."

Then seven and a half minutes in Jess watched in horror as the boats moved so close to each other the oars were just narrowly avoiding collision; instead falling in rhythm between each other, expertly commandeered by the professional rowers.

The umpire put out a warning to make the crews separate, which was immediately compiled and disaster was averted, Oxford pulling ahead once more.

The cameras then moved to a shot of Rachel Dowin, the Cambridge cox, encouraging and directing the crew in rhythm with the strokes.

"Direct! Direct! Yeah you're moving on them just with that change. Direct! Direct! Good boys!"

"Rachel sounding very relaxed there but things are going to get very urgent for the Cambridge crew very soon if they let Oxford slip away any more."

"There are some prepared to say that if Oxford win here it would be the biggest upset since the year of the mutiny, 1987. Oxford have a lead."

Jess was lost in the action with those around her. Screaming and cheering for Cambridge to catch up. Hannah next to her was almost hoarse.

Then after ten minutes Cambridge pulled back level, their advantage coming up in the next half a mile. The screens showed a shot of the boat bows and Cambridge's was slightly in front of the opposition. It was going to be a close race with just seven minutes to go!

"On to and beyond the Chiswick Steps. The leaders at this point almost always turn out to be the winners. Oxford have twice since the turn of this century though turned the deficit of Chiswick Steps into victory. Cambridge haven't achieved that since 1961. There was point 3 of a second between the two crews at the Chiswick Steps."

"Cambridge still pushing."

Cambridge had indeed pulled ahead by half a length by eleven and a half minutes. Oxford's advantage was at an end, with now a straight sprint down to Barnes Bridge and Cambridge's advantage on the final bend. Oxford were having to sprint in effort to catch up with Cambridge, over length ahead now, by increasing their speed back up from 36 to 40 strokes per minute.

Then at just under fifteen minutes with three minutes to go, Oxford's organisation turned scrappy as, trailing behind Cambridge, they moved to the right to be directly behind them and then further on to their right. Whether in attempt to take the final bend or a fault on the cox's part, Jess wasn't certain. But Cambridge were now safely in front with just under a mile to go.

"As smooth, as glassy, as frictionless as Augusta Green. Without impediment either from the elements or the opposition; without inhibition, without a care in the world. Cambridge have waited a little while for this. There have been some dark days for the Light Blues just recently but the clouds are clearing now. For two long years they have longed for the day when with Barnes Bridge behind them, the Oxford boat is behind them too, a Cambridge boat staffed with men – several of whom have done this before but only one of whom had won this before and that is all about to change.

An international crew with a British heart, a German engine, an uncompromising North American competitive streak, and it's theirs to lose now."

"Jess!" Hannah screamed, pointing. "Here they come!"

The boats were just coming into view as they rounded the last of the bend before the sprint to the finish line. The crowd roared; Jess and Hannah willing Cambridge to victory. The commentators voices were lost underneath the sheer volume of cheers as the boats neared them faster and faster, the Light Blues in front by well over a length.

As they finally crossed the finish line, Jess and Hannah hugged, jumping up and down in celebration and excitement, Cambridge supporters around them going wild. Applause and congratulatory cheers followed and whoops of delight as two Cambridge crew members stood up proudly punching the air in celebration. Another was lying back against the crew member behind him in relief and exhaustion, the latter patting him on the shoulder.

Jess turned to look back at the screen: 17.49 had been their time. Not the quickest, that had been 16minutes and 19seconds in 1998, but certainly the best performance Jess had ever seen – with her own eyes!

Cambridge had won! It had not happened since 2004, and then 2001 before that. Jess knew she'd just witnessed a very special performance. As it was also Hannah's birthday, it was likely to be a day that neither of them forgot for a long time!

. . .

The Bails and the Parkers spent the rest of the evening walking in Hyde Park, Hannah's favourite part of London. As the sun set they approached the Diana, Princess of Wales memorial. Jess slipped her feet out of her shows and rolled up her jeans to her shins, Hannah followed suit and together they began to slowly wade their around the granite fountain.

For the first time since New Year, Jess felt totally relaxed and care-free. So much bad stuff had happened since then and now they had important exams looming it was bound to get worse. Hannah linked their arms together as they continued walking in thoughtful silence.

When they had almost walked round the entire fountain, Hannah finally spoke. "I'm really glad you've been here for me Jess. Thank you. It's been tough but I think we're just about through the worst, and hopefully things will get better." She wrapped her arms around her younger cousin, hugging her close as they walked.

Jess beamed up at her.

"Me too."

. . .

To be continued.

[A/N: I had a lot of fun writing this chapter, I got so into the action I now think I'm a Cambridge supporter for life! (Sorry Oxford!) Even if watching YouTube clips of the race over and over on my college bus got me some funny looks… haha, oops. I've changed the names of any crew members and coxes mentioned to be on the safe side. Commentators' words are from a youtube clip of the race footage which belongs to ITV, I don't own it.]