[fullmetal]

Actually, it was written for the rec.sports.rowing newsgroup, an eclectic group of rowers from around the world.  It's not a group in which many actively participate, but there are some heavy-hitters and experienced folks there--Alistair being one of them. 

The Oxford cox essentially steered into the Cambridge boat, according to the judgment call of the umpire.  You'd call that a blocking foul in basketball.  Each boat has a right to unimpeded rowing in "its water," and if one boat pulls clearly ahead of the other, then the boat in the lead may steer in any direction its cox wishes, including directly in front of the trailing boat (which renders the trailing boat at a disadvantage).

What actually happened is somewhat immaterial, as the umpire ruled on the spot that the race had to go on.  The prospect of another restart (with other launches running around and chopping up the water and waiting another 30 min) must have terrified the umpire.

[fullmetal]

Actually, it was written for the rec.sports.rowing newsgroup, an eclectic group of rowers from around the world.  It's not a group in which many actively participate, but there are some heavy-hitters and experienced folks there--Alistair being one of them. 

The Oxford cox essentially steered into the Cambridge boat, according to the judgment call of the umpire.  You'd call that a blocking foul in basketball.  Each boat has a right to unimpeded rowing in "its water," and if one boat pulls clearly ahead of the other, then the boat in the lead may steer in any direction its cox wishes, including directly in front of the trailing boat (which renders the trailing boat at a disadvantage).

What actually happened is somewhat immaterial, as the umpire ruled on the spot that the race had to go on.  The prospect of another restart (with other launches running around and chopping up the water and waiting another 30 min) must have terrified the umpire.