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THE BOAT RACE
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Triumphant return
Images: © The Boat Race/Benedict Tufnell/Row 360
The Boat Race 2022 returned to its rightful position on the River Thames. Here, Chris Price, event manager, discusses the big changes
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here’s nothing like the roar of a crowd, an encouraging scream, or a cheer of jubilation when loyal supporters congratulate a win. That’s the thing about sporting events; they exude excitement so to see packed crowds returning to live events and watching sport is a thing of beauty. Last year, The Boat Race took place behind closed doors; COVID-19 continued to impact the events industry and crowds were banned from turning up and supporting their heroes. It’s one reason why the revered sporting event moved location to the Great Ouse in Ely; to discourage spectators. The other reason – the small issue of ongoing engineering works on Hammersmith Bridge – also played its part in the essential move.
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Such elements meant last year’s event had a different look and feel. A challenge that Chris Price, event manager of The Boat Race, took in his stride. He had joined Boat Race HQ in November 2020 and knew that his first race [in 2021] would be very different. Jump forward 12 months, and this year’s Boat Race returned to the banks of the River Thames and spectators returned too. It was time for Price to deliver the rowing event that people had missed so much. No pressure. “I have just about recovered,” says Price. “It’s been strange, and it’s been unique.” Price is talking to StandOut about all the changes that were made to The Boat Race 2022, which saw thousands of spectators turn out to see Cambridge’s women and Oxford’s men win their respective races.
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