Tape062 1977 GB Men training at Thorpe Park

[@adrianellison7775]

MacLeod and Christie use a revolutionary (& highly experimental) lever system on their oars which allowed them to change the position of their oar buttons in the middle of a race, to either harden or to lighten the gearing. Jamie explained it to me in detail at Penny's funeral. You can see the apparatus on Jamie's inboard in this footage, if you look closely.

[@MostynARC]

I believe they started on a heavy to normal gearing and the lever allowed them to flip to a lighter gearing, to use at some point in the second half of the race. Dont think they could change it back, but that didnt matter as nobody would want to make the gearing harder just when they were getting tired. I think they were the only people to ever use it. but I'm sure someone will put me right if they used it as well

[@adrianellison7775]

David Webb (now sadly deceased) was the cox for MacLeod & Christie

[@MostynARC]

Thanks Adrian, I have updated the video details