Oxford Brookes Univ & Taurus B.C. v Univ. of Washington, USA - Grand | Henley 2024 Finals

[@mclaughlinja1995]

The coxswain must feel awful. This sucks all around… it was shaping up to be one of the best races of this year’s Henley.

[@clearday1971]

This was a heartbreak to watch. Up until that moment, a nail-biter, edge-of-seat event. Would have loved to have seen them head-to-head the whole distance.

[@markumlauf650]

A combination of gusty winds, a long delay before the start, and an unforgiving wooden barrier next to your narrow lane make for a coxswain's nightmare. Plus- the bow oar was early, and being on the port side meant he could leverage the bow toward the barrier if the cox wasn't paying close attention to the course. 47 years ago, I rowed in the five seat on the UW men's varsity, in the Grand final versus Leander/Thames Tradesmen B.C. Also delayed for an equipment failure before the start, on a hot, sunny day. And a much different outcome than today. The Grand is a tough race to win. Sorry Dawgs. Better luck next time. Congrats on a winning collegiate season. You are still the best crew in the USA right now. "And O'er the Land Our Loyal Band Will Sing the Glory Of Washington Forever." - The One and Only Original Zoom

[@Caller8194]

heartbreaking. something you'd never forget/forgive yourself

[@FoundernFintech]

I don't know who in the comments has competed in rowing, let alone at Henley? The rudder is incredibly small (approx 10cm x 5cm) for a boat that is 19m long. Its applied while the blades are in the water (so as not to affect balance). Bow & 2 can influence steering with their technique Visibility of cox is minimal - they are v.small, crouching at the back, compared to 8x large athletes (all 6ft+) So yes - steering is difficult. Henley is unique compared to multi-late events. The start is sheltered by the island - then opens up - it changes all the way down the course. Wind, motor boats Coming through the Barrier there was plenty of space between the crews and Brookes weren't pushing UW. It seems the wind has impacted UW ....and hence would have impacted Brookes also - pushing them closer to the middle. It happens in race conditions. Its not ideal for either crew. Both would have preferred a competitive race. But you cannot begrudge a crew celebrating given the effort they put in preparing for one of the most signfiicant events in their calendar. That and the races they've had to win to get to the final. Yes i am a Brookes rowing alumni

[@jerrymccarthy2744]

This isn't 6 lane racing bouyed . This is side by side racing, against land water. Every advantage you can gain you take. It's what makes it unique.

[@johncooper6413]

As a non-rower but avid supporter of Brookes I would say their coxing might occasionally be challenging. Not half as fierce as the Boat Race crews on the Tideway, though!

[@hans_shizzleShizzle]

Man that was hard to watch! I was really looking forward to watching a grand stand finish! I had a feeling UW had Brookes-Taurus on the ropes

[@zaidanamiji]

Feel bad for UW. Such a good boat.

[@ferguswoolnough6778]

What about Brooke’s? Multiple world champions, beat the Dutch Olympic 8, 15+ combined Henley wins??

[@cheesycrisps1046]

@@ferguswoolnough6778 No ones saying the brookes boat was bad, or that they would of lost to UW. What he's saying is that its a shame they crashed and it was a very good boat, which it was.

[@chazzdposh]

How does a coxed boat ever hit the sides?? Terrible.

[@ad226200]

Might have damaged their skeg

[@lovesicknic4549]

wind, overcorrection in the heat of the moment to avoid a perceived potential collision

[@federicoghisafi3384]

I feel sorry for the coxswain but he is taking blame for that. At those levels you cannot pull like that towards the wall. The boat it was angled too much to consider that incident as only a rowers' problem.

[@seafunkchannel]

Just about everything you said I’ll agree with, but these are supposed to be the two fastest, non-Olympic, crews in the world this year. These two coxswains should equally be at the top of their game. That means weather conditions, one side pulling harder than the other, and keeping a straight line should come second nature. Both of these coxswains screwed up, cause I bet the brooks coxswain didn’t even know he was squeezing them, which makes him just as bad! Just saying, these aren’t the kind of mistakes that should be made by the Best! UW, Henley x 2, Nat. Team x 2 Alumni

[@todorstankovic1111]

What do you even mean Brookes cox is just as bad? Him pushing the other crew won the race. If they stood their ground and made contact it would have been Brookes' fault. Brookes cox did 50% of the work in that race.

[@everettrowingnightcrew690]

#ozzyman

[@BradleyLayton]

What on earth happened there?

[@user-xd9vs2pc3t]

Agree that the Brooke's cox squeezed UW over. Don't agree that that is "great steering by Brooke's". I'd call it "dishonorable" considering all the work all of the competitors put in, laboring in obscurity, for the chance to put it all on the line for each other. To steal that away to get the win is antithetical to the sport I love. I know others try it too. Still not ok.

[@bloodspatteredguitar]

I don't know if they squeezed them intentionally. It's possible, but runs the greater risk of disqualification if they clash blades. I did think the flag should have been out sooner, but the fact is that UW had plenty of space even considering how far Brookes came over. UW rowed themselves into the booms; no one else did it for them. You have to feel bad for the cox and the crew, but before accusing the other side of poor sportsmanship, it's worth remembering that UW did not protest. If they think the race was run fairly, that should be the end of it.

[@robinbunchofnumbers4566]

Desperate cope to blame external factors. UW cox had a shocker and that’s that.

[@user-xd9vs2pc3t]

@@bloodspatteredguitar Upon reflection, that's the better point and I agree with you. Thanks.

[@joycehayward6727]

So totally agree with you. Are these 'tactics' encouraged by the elite coaches? Are they not strong enough to win without these so-called "tactics" which I noticed in several of their races as well as the Marlow club. As a grandmother with two grandchildren at the beginning of this sport I was dismayed at the example set by these two UK clubs. Brookes paddled to victory and acted as if they had won gold at the Olympics, no empathy for their opponents. For me, very disappointing sportsmanship. Or maybe this is what rowing is all about?

[@bloodspatteredguitar]

@@joycehayward6727 I'm not overly keen on Brooke's general attitude, although as I said above I don't think there's ultimately much to say regarding this race. But I urge you to rewatch the Wyfold final with a more sympathetic eye. Remember that it is the lowest level of coxless competition, so it is usual to have inexpert steering, and look at where the clash took place. I really do not think Marlow did anything wrong in the slightest, and nothing was ever going to come of Thames' protest, since they were the boat more habitually off station in the race.

[@jerrymccarthy2744]

Great steering from Brooke's. The cox squeezed them over and Washington cox fell for it. If he had held his station brookes would have been warned.

[@Row_GB]

He fell right for the trap🤓☝️( your most average Brooke’s fanboy)

[@soralink411]

ah yes, nothing like winning a race in a dishonorable way

[@jerrymccarthy2744]

​@soralink411 how is that dishonorable its part of racing. Cox did his job

[@soralink411]

@@jerrymccarthy2744 pushing someone into the booms is not part of racing. I dont even think the Brookes cox was actively maliciously trying to do that, but if he was thats shameful and against the rules. Olympians dont try and push people over out of lanes

[@benlewis2475]

@@soralink411UW cocked up. Badly. Get over it.

[@danielfisher417]

??!??!?

[@1v_strokeseatonly402]

UW would’ve won.

[@robinbunchofnumbers4566]

😢😢😢 cry more

[@adiado]

Brooks were well over in the middle and not being warned!

[@willsadler8367]

Commentator needs to have a word with himself; Washington steered into the booms, that’s on them. Saying Brookes didn’t win fair and square is dumb (and they were winning when it happened)

[@scbradford20]

@@adiado i noticed that also. The officials seemed fixated on Washington and they weren't noticing Oxford Brookes drifting past the middle.

[@darrenhaywood9260]

At this level there is no excuse, the cox should have plenty of experience not to get caught out like that. It’s still a crying shame and I feel sorry for the cox. Ruined what was a damn good race.