I loved this. I can’t remember where I saw the recommendation but a rom-com set around the Oxford & Cambridge Boat Race? Yes please! The romance part of this was pretty standard - a deal to help each other out, studying skills for love skills, but then obviously they fall in love with each other instead. But the twists and turns around the boat race itself, the various team rivalries, and of course the big question of whether to cheat or not - all add up to a really fun sporting read.

I’ve had this book tucked away on my Kindle for ages (oddly, it doesn’t seem to be available for the Kindle anymore) but I dug it out in anticipation of the Boat Race this weekend. Mark De Rond spends the duration of the training period for the 2007 Cambridge boat crew, following them, guiding them, helping them, and documenting it all.

I almost missed the Boat Race this year. I love it enormously, and tweeted a reminder to others (and to myself) earlier in the week. I even had it in my mind to make a live commenting thread for the event. However, then I lost track of what day it was. I didn’t realise it was Saturday and the Boat Race couldn’t have been further from my mind. Thankfully, the fabulous Pat reminded me and I switched on the TV just in time to see the rowers begin their arduous journey down the Thames.

The writing here is not magnificent. It’s not detailed or flowing, but it doesn’t have to be. That’s not what they’re writing it for. What we learn from reading the book is just how much incredible effort goes in to preparing for the Boat Race and how much it really means for everyone involved. You get a sense of that from watching it on TV, or maybe even from seeing it in person, but to hear it from the horse’s mouth (so to speak) is amazing.

The Boat Race 2006 was held over the weekend. We accidentally watched it, what with live coverage being on directly after the Grand Prix, and us being way too tired to switch it off. I’ve never watched the Boat Race before, never really been interested, and I can tell you now, after seeing the entire thing in all it’s glory – I so am! The first thing that grabbed my attention was the fact that the build up to the race was almost an hour long, whilst the actual event was over in a third of that time. ITV put a lot of effort into their pre-race coverage, including very expensive looking adverts and title credits, although they did try and ruin it with the choice of presenter and guest speakers. James Cracknell was the only one worth listening to, and even then he was being decidedly diplomatic.