The Australian Boat Race
Borne of a fierce rivalry between two universities, the annual Australian Boat Race is on again this weekendThe Australian Boat Race between the University of Sydney and the University of Melbourne will be held in Sydney on Sunday (October 26).
It Sydney’s turn to host the event this year and when the flag drops at the start near Woolwich, the crews will have an arduous task ahead of them. The 4.3 kilometre racing course runs easterly and south easterly past Cockatoo Island on the right, then Birchgrove, Ballast Point and then between Goat Island and East Balmain. After East Balmain the course swings more south passing Barrangaroo on the left and White Bay and Pyrmont on the right, progressing into Darling Harbour finishing just past Pyrmont Bridge.
There will be two races, one for women and one for men starting at 08:20. A mobile exclusion zone will be in place from 08:00 to 09:40 on the day (see graphic).
The Australian Boat Race is the annual rowing match race between the Sydney and Melbourne University Boat Club. Held annually, the venue alternates between the Yarra River in the heart of Melbourne and on the Sydney Harbour. It encapsulates the long-standing rivalry between two great cities and two great universities. It is set to become a showcase event on each of the cities’ iconic watercourses and is the new chapter of a 150 year old rivalry between these two Universities both on and off the water.
Sydney and Melbourne University are Australia’s oldest and best-known universities. Their rowing clubs were founded in 1859 and 1860 respectively and are currently the two most successful rowing clubs in Australia, together contributing 18 athletes to the London Olympic rowing team.
The two rowing clubs met informally on the Yarra in 1860. By 1870 the rowing competition between Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide universities became a regular feature, eventually growing into the annual intervarsity competition still held today.
Australia’s future first Prime Minister Edmund Barton rowed in the Sydney boat at the first regatta in 1870. While the University of Melbourne was victorious on that first occasion, there has been a 150 year old rivalry between these two universities both on and off the water.
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here has been a 150 year old rivalry between these two universities both on and off the water.
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