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Telegraph
03-07-2025
- Sport
- Telegraph
Matthew Pinsent interview: Time was right for Steve Redgrave to go
The temperature is so hot that gentlemen have been allowed to remove their jackets in the stewards' enclosure. Yet Sir Matthew Pinsent is resolutely wearing his navy blazer despite the sweat-inducing heat haze which hangs over Henley-on-Thames. And so he should, as Pinsent is only a few minutes into his new role as chief umpire of Henley Royal Regatta, a position which requires him to be impeccably turned out, and have impeccable timekeeping. I was told he would arrive for our interview at 9:38am precisely – and during the chat he whips out a small electronic timer, to make sure we do not overrun. Time (and the umpire's launch) waits for no man, not even a quadruple Olympic gold medallist. Pinsent's former rowing partner, Sir Steve Redgrave, recently relinquished the reins as chairman of HRR after a decade in charge, with fellow 1992 Olympian Richard Phelps now at the helm. Pinsent, meanwhile, has thrown himself into umpiring – not only at Henley, but at the Boat Race, National Schools and other regattas. But with Pinsent part of the HRR committee who decided it was time for Redgrave to step aside as chairman and Phelps to step up, has there been any awkwardness? 'No, look, it comes to us all, there'll be time when everyone has to step back,' says Pinsent, robustly. 'As a steward what you learn pretty quickly is the regatta outlives you in a literal sense, but also in a professional sense. You've got to give it your best shot when you're in a position to do so, and then when the time has come for you to hand it over, you hand it over. Bluntly, the regatta has changed more in the last 12 years, 15 years, particularly under Steve's chairmanship, than it did in the previous 40.' Pinsent confirms parity between male and female racing at HRR is Phelps's aim. While the junior and premier events are equal, there is work to be done on the club and intermediate levels, despite the introduction of a new women's eight event, the Bridge Challenge Plate. He will not be drawn when I ask about recent rowing controversies involving the coaching at Oxford Brookes, the eligibility row between his alma mater, Oxford, and Cambridge in the Boat Race, and the recent sexual-assault scandal at his former club Leander, which first admitted women in 1998. One of the men involved in the recent Telegraph investigation has since been suspended by British Rowing. But what he will say is that 'the efforts to make rowing more open are only to be welcomed'. That goes for the regatta, too. He adds: 'Henley has always been about the best in the sport competing one on one out on the water. That's never going to change. But that does not mean it's not accessible or achievable for people at a relatively modest level, particularly at junior level. You can train and you can learn to row. There are people here who have learned to row within the last two years who are racing. That is meritocratic, and we're going to try our best to keep it as open and meritocratic as we possibly can. The event and the sport needs breadth across all the levels.' Returning to his own umpiring role, it is clear Pinsent is passionate about supporting the sport that has given him so much, personally and professionally. 'I find it a really lovely way of giving back to the sport,' he says. 'It started almost as soon as I was a steward [at HRR]. I became a qualified umpire for the Thames region, then multi-lane, and World Rowing, and here. There's a group of nine or 10 including the chairman, and we divvy up the races and make sure umpiring is consistent and the rules are applied equally. Henley writes its own rules, which is wonderful, but also can get complicated at times.' The umpire has the power to disqualify a crew: it's a heartbreaking decision to have to make, when rowers have trained for so long and so hard to get to Henley. 'It's sad for the crew but as long as you're sure in your own mind, and as long as you're confident,' Pinsent says. 'The infringement has to be so blatant, it's rarely a grey area.' It is a busy few days for Pinsent – but there is one crew he definitely will not be umpiring this year. That is Marlow Rowing Club A, a junior girls' quad scull, competing in the Diamond Jubilee Challenge Cup on Thursday. Why? Because his daughter Eve is in the crew. Will he watch? 'Because I've got umpiring to do, it's quite difficult to step out. I certainly won't be umpiring her race. That's a no-no. But I'm not imagining I'm going to be able to watch her race from start to finish. I might see it as I go down for another race. She does her thing, I do mine. And we'll meet at the end of the day, and it'll be good news or not.' As someone who knows how to win, he will surely give his daughter a bit of advice before the start? Far from it. '[I say] nothing,' he says. 'I stay out of it. She has a coach for that.' He is not one to interfere with training, either. 'I tried quite hard to stay out of it because it's not that useful. Either you roll your sleeves up and get involved in coaching in a formal way, and then that's a whole other challenge if you're coaching your children. Or you are a rowing parent and you stay out of it for other reasons,' he says. While all three of Pinsent's children, including twins Jonah and Lucas, followed him into the sport, he's happy for them to find their own way, too. 'One of my sons has decided that's it. Never wants to row again. That's completely fine. Everyone reaches that point, and he's off doing his thing, which is great. We've got two left who are still rowing, [with Eve] competing this week. It's giving them a lot. I love the impact it's had on them. It's really beneficial.' Still, every rowing parent wants to see their child walk away with a Henley medal (Pinsent has 14 to his name, in coxless pairs and fours). I ask how he rates Eve's chances against the dominant junior girls' crew, Wycliffe. His answer makes me wonder whether he might be a little more locked in than he confesses. 'They did well at Henley Women's – they were second. They did well at National Schools, they were third. The trajectory is good, but Henley is a funny thing. It's not a six-lane race, it's not a straightforward speed test. It's match racing in all the best and worst ways. We're going to find out [if they can beat Wycliffe]. I don't know whether anyone can. That's what we're here to find out.' As for Pinsent himself, he's at ease with his decision to hang up his oars, having retired in November 2004. 'Been there, done that. Don't worry about it.' Does he do any rowing now? 'No! Only indoors at home, where no one can see me.' With his daughter involved in the sport, it's natural Pinsent's keen to encourage other women to give it a go. Change at the once men-only regatta has been constant if not especially speedy since women first raced here in 1981: the number of female entries this year is double that of 2019. But HRR and rowing cannot rest on their laurels. It may be one of our most successful Olympic sports, but at the grass roots, rowing can only exist thanks to unpaid umpires and tireless club members. Without their dedication, those Olympic gold medals will not happen. 'We need to look after volunteers,' Pinsent says. 'We need to make sure we're still encouraging people into the sport and we have a ready supply of people who are going to run events. Because otherwise they won't run. We know that because some fall by the wayside.' With all that enthusiasm, I wonder if he has any appetite to be chairman himself at some point, or if he is happy where he is now. 'I've only been chief umpire for one hour, so we'll see how the rest of the day goes,' he jokes. So no desire to step in Phelps's shoes? 'Not today,' he says, as he heads off to his next race, timer in hand.
The Independent
11-04-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
2025 Oxford vs Cambridge Boat Race Preview, Prediction & Odds
Oxford to win the men's race - 7/4 William Hill The 2025 Boat Race takes place on Sunday and once again all the talk in the build-up has been about the water quality rather than the quality of the teams. Following Oxford's defeat in the men's race 12 months ago, they complained about sewage levels, and organisers say that the water quality is an "ongoing concern' with levels of E. coli bacteria almost three times above the Environment Agency's threshold. Last year, three members of the Oxford team went down with illness before the race, which they blamed on the water quality, but everyone would much rather be talking about the race itself this time around. This year's men's race (2.21pm, BBC One) will be the 170th, after first being held in 1829 and becoming an annual fixture in 1856, while it's only been 10 years since the women's race was switched ton the same day and course as their male counterparts. Cambridge has won seven consecutive women's titles but their chances this year were dealt a blow last month when the selection rules changed, stopping PGCE students from competing, ruling out two of their original women's team, as well as one from the men's boat. Betting sites are still backing Cambridge in the women's race (1.21pm, BBC One), at odds of 2/9 over the 4.2 miles between Putney and Mortlake, while Oxford are a 3/1 chance. Stats Support Oxford Win Cambridge have also dominated the men's race in recent years, winning five of the last six encounters and this year they are going for the hat trick. But if you like statistics, you might want to back an Oxford win because the dark blues have the edge in post-Olympic races, having won the last five. Their last defeat after an Olympics was back in 2001, a year after Steve Redgrave won his fifth consecutive Olympic gold medal in Sydney. Oxford's men are a 7/4 shout on some betting apps, and the value may lie with them to win what will be a hotly contested race, given the recent wranglings over selection. Please Gamble Responsibly Bettors should always follow responsible gambling practices. Even the most knowledgeable punter can lose a bet, so always stick to a budget and never chase your losses. When using gambling sites, be aware that sports betting can be addictive so please take steps to remain in control of your time and budget. The same applies whether you're using slot sites, online casinos, casino apps, or any other gambling medium. It's particularly important not to get carried if you receive a casino bonus or any free bets, which are available in abundance on gambling sites, but must be approached with caution. You can stay in control by making use of the responsible gambling tools offered, such as deposit limits, loss limits, self-exclusion and time-outs. You may also want to visit the following free organisations to discuss any issues with gambling you might be having:
The Independent
10-04-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
E.coli fears, selection spat and Cambridge dominance: What to know about the storied Boat Race
Rowers from British universities Oxford and Cambridge will compete on Sunday in the men's and women's Boat Race, one of the oldest sporting events in the world that typically attracts more than 200,000 spectators along the River Thames in London. The men's race first took place in 1829. The women's crews have been racing along the same course between Putney and Mortlake since 2015, and before that in other locations from 1927. Here's what to know about the races: They come with a health warning again A year on, the races are back on the Thames and so are concerns about the quality of the water on the 4.2-mile (6.8-kilometer) course. Testing, starting in March 10, by the River Action campaign group along the racing section of the river found that 29.5% of samples exceeded safe limits of for entering the water. The group says that is almost three times the threshold for bathing waters rated 'poor.' Health fears were also raised ahead of last year's race. bacteria normally live in the intestines of healthy people and animals. Most strains are harmless, cause relatively brief diarrhea and most people recover without much incident, according to the Mayo clinic. But small doses of some strains — including just a mouthful of contaminated water — can cause a range of conditions, including urinary tract infection, cystitis, intestinal infection and vomiting, with the worst cases leading to life-threatening blood poisoning. As a result, Erica Popplewell, River Action's head of communities, said 'we strongly suggest that the winning team on Sunday think twice before throwing their cox in the Thames' — a nod to the customary celebration by members of the winning crew. Organizers accepted that the testing 'shows there is more work to be done to get our waterways where we all want them to be." They recommend competitors follow directives in British Rowing's 'Poor Water Quality Guidance," which includes covering up open wounds, regular handwashing, taking a shower as soon as possible after the race, and 'highlighting the risks of entering the water.' Steve Redgrave, a five-time Olympic gold medalist in rowing for Britain, said: 'It's a real worry that in 2025 unsafe water quality in the Thames is still a concern." Eligibility row fans the flames Oxford and Cambridge have long been rivals on and off the water, but rarely has there been as much hostility between the universities heading into a Boat Race. Sparks flew a few weeks ago when three Cambridge rowers were banned from taking part because they are undertaking a postgraduate teaching course — a PGCE — which Oxford argued is a certificate as opposed to a degree. The Boat Race has an independent panel ruling on the eligibility of students in the race and it sided with Oxford. Cambridge didn't take it well, with one of its former rowers — Olympic gold medalist Imogen Grant — describing Oxford's complaint as 'slimy' and another — former world champion rower Cath Bishop — saying it was 'utter madness" and a 'new low in relations' between the university boat clubs. Former PGCE students from Cambridge and Oxford previously had been allowed to race, but revised criteria has been jointly agreed to by the two clubs. The decision has weakened the Cambridge crews, depriving them of Matt Heywood (men's) and Molly Foxell and Kate Cowley (women's). Can the Light Blues dominance continue? Cambridge is enjoying a strong run in the Boat Race, on both the men's and women's side. Its women have won seven races in a row and its men are seeking a sixth win in the last seven races. Overall, Cambridge is leading Oxford 87-81 in the men's event — there was one dead heat, in 1877 — while Cambridge leads 48-30 in the women's event. There will be a US flavor Two Americans who rowed at the Paris Olympics last year are among the crews. In the men's race, Nick Rusher — a bronze medalist in the men's eight in Paris — will be in the No. 7 seat for Oxford. Claire Collins, who also raced at the Tokyo Games in 2021 and was a world championship medalist in 2022, will row for Cambridge at No. 6. ___
Associated Press
10-04-2025
- Sport
- Associated Press
E.coli fears, selection spat and Cambridge dominance: What to know about the storied Boat Race
Rowers from British universities Oxford and Cambridge will compete on Sunday in the men's and women's Boat Race, one of the oldest sporting events in the world that typically attracts more than 200,000 spectators along the River Thames in London. The men's race first took place in 1829. The women's crews have been racing along the same course between Putney and Mortlake since 2015, and before that in other locations from 1927. Here's what to know about the races: They come with a health warning again A year on, the races are back on the Thames and so are concerns about the quality of the water on the 4.2-mile (6.8-kilometer) course. Testing, starting in March 10, by the River Action campaign group along the racing section of the river found that 29.5% of samples exceeded safe limits of for entering the water. The group says that is almost three times the threshold for bathing waters rated 'poor.' Health fears were also raised ahead of last year's race. bacteria normally live in the intestines of healthy people and animals. Most strains are harmless, cause relatively brief diarrhea and most people recover without much incident, according to the Mayo clinic. But small doses of some strains — including just a mouthful of contaminated water — can cause a range of conditions, including urinary tract infection, cystitis, intestinal infection and vomiting, with the worst cases leading to life-threatening blood poisoning. As a result, Erica Popplewell, River Action's head of communities, said 'we strongly suggest that the winning team on Sunday think twice before throwing their cox in the Thames' — a nod to the customary celebration by members of the winning crew. Organizers accepted that the testing 'shows there is more work to be done to get our waterways where we all want them to be.' They recommend competitors follow directives in British Rowing's 'Poor Water Quality Guidance,' which includes covering up open wounds, regular handwashing, taking a shower as soon as possible after the race, and 'highlighting the risks of entering the water.' Steve Redgrave, a five-time Olympic gold medalist in rowing for Britain, said: 'It's a real worry that in 2025 unsafe water quality in the Thames is still a concern.' Eligibility row fans the flames Oxford and Cambridge have long been rivals on and off the water, but rarely has there been as much hostility between the universities heading into a Boat Race. Sparks flew a few weeks ago when three Cambridge rowers were banned from taking part because they are undertaking a postgraduate teaching course — a PGCE — which Oxford argued is a certificate as opposed to a degree. The Boat Race has an independent panel ruling on the eligibility of students in the race and it sided with Oxford. Cambridge didn't take it well, with one of its former rowers — Olympic gold medalist Imogen Grant — describing Oxford's complaint as 'slimy' and another — former world champion rower Cath Bishop — saying it was 'utter madness' and a 'new low in relations' between the university boat clubs. Former PGCE students from Cambridge and Oxford previously had been allowed to race, but revised criteria has been jointly agreed to by the two clubs. The decision has weakened the Cambridge crews, depriving them of Matt Heywood (men's) and Molly Foxell and Kate Cowley (women's). Can the Light Blues dominance continue? Cambridge is enjoying a strong run in the Boat Race, on both the men's and women's side. Its women have won seven races in a row and its men are seeking a sixth win in the last seven races. Overall, Cambridge is leading Oxford 87-81 in the men's event — there was one dead heat, in 1877 — while Cambridge leads 48-30 in the women's event. There will be a US flavor Two Americans who rowed at the Paris Olympics last year are among the crews. In the men's race, Nick Rusher — a bronze medalist in the men's eight in Paris — will be in the No. 7 seat for Oxford. Claire Collins, who also raced at the Tokyo Games in 2021 and was a world championship medalist in 2022, will row for Cambridge at No. 6.
Sky News
09-04-2025
- Sport
- Sky News
'Concerning' levels of E.coli found in River Thames before Boat Race, campaigners say
has been traced in multiple water samples from the stretch of the River Thames that will host the famous Boat Race on Sunday, campaigners say. Campaign group River Action, which started testing for the bacteria in the Thames on 10 March, said almost a third of samples (29.5%) exceeded safe limits for entering the water. Water quality would be classed "poor" by official standards if it were a bathing water site, according to the campaigners. In response, Thames Water said rivers were "very dynamic environments" and recent tests on carried out by Fulham Reach Boat Club had shown results "within the 'excellent' threshold since the start of March". The Boat Race between Oxford and Cambridge Universities in London traditionally culminates in the winning team throwing their cox in the water, but last year they were warned to avoid the water after "alarmingly high" levels of were found. 8:00 Five-time Olympic gold medal-winning rower Sir Steve Redgrave said rowers and others who enjoy the water "deserve better". "It's a real worry that in 2025, unsafe water quality in the Thames is still a concern," he added. Last year, an Oxford rower said he had fallen sick from after training on the Thames and spotting "poo in the water". Thames Water said the boat race route was not technically bathing water, meaning it is not funded to routinely disinfect or sterilise the water in the same way. Britain's biggest water supplier has been battling against financial collapse since last year, narrowly avoiding being taken into government ownership last month. How was the testing carried out? The stretch of water on the boat race route is not classed as a bathing water site by the Environment Agency, but the campaigners said they measured it in the same way in a bid to highlight the levels of water pollution. River Action said it sampled water 44 times between 10 March and 7 April, from three different locations along the race route. The group said the percentage of samples which exceeded safe limits for entering the water was almost three times the threshold for bathing waters rated "poor". River Action's Erica Popplewell branded it "a scandal" and called for Thames Water to be put into government hands. "We strongly suggest that the winning team on Sunday think twice before throwing their cox in the Thames," she added. The levels of were found in spite of the recent dry weather, the group said. Untreated sewage is only supposed to be released from emergency overflow valves during exceptionally wet conditions, to avoid sewage backing up into people's homes. A Thames Water spokesperson said: "Rivers are very dynamic environments, and samples can vary hugely within a short period of time. Paradoxically, recent tests on carried out by Fulham Reach Boat Club have results within the 'excellent' threshold since the start of March." The spokesperson added: "We have and continue to deliver a record amount of investment to address our ageing infrastructure and the health of rivers. This includes £1.8bn to improve river health in London over the next five years.
