The coxswain must feel awful. This sucks all around… it was shaping up to be one of the best races of this year’s Henley.

This was a heartbreak to watch. Up until that moment, a nail-biter, edge-of-seat event. Would have loved to have seen them head-to-head the whole distance.

Feel bad for UW. Such a good boat.

A combination of gusty winds, a long delay before the start, and an unforgiving wooden barrier next to your narrow lane make for a coxswain's nightmare. Plus- the bow oar was early, and being on the port side meant he could leverage the bow toward the barrier if the cox wasn't paying close attention to the course. 47 years ago, I rowed in the five seat on the UW men's varsity, in the Grand final versus Leander/Thames Tradesmen B.C. Also delayed for an equipment failure before the start, on a hot, sunny day. And a much different outcome than today. The Grand is a tough race to win. Sorry Dawgs. Better luck next time. Congrats on a winning collegiate season. You are still the best crew in the USA right now. "And O'er the Land Our Loyal Band Will Sing the Glory Of Washington Forever." - The One and Only Original Zoom

This isn't 6 lane racing bouyed . This is side by side racing, against land water. Every advantage you can gain you take. It's what makes it unique.

As a non-rower but avid supporter of Brookes I would say their coxing might occasionally be challenging. Not half as fierce as the Boat Race crews on the Tideway, though!

How does a coxed boat ever hit the sides?? Terrible.

#ozzyman

I don't know who in the comments has competed in rowing, let alone at Henley? The rudder is incredibly small (approx 10cm x 5cm) for a boat that is 19m long. Its applied while the blades are in the water (so as not to affect balance). Bow & 2 can influence steering with their technique Visibility of cox is minimal - they are v.small, crouching at the back, compared to 8x large athletes (all 6ft+) So yes - steering is difficult. Henley is unique compared to multi-late events. The start is sheltered by the island - then opens up - it changes all the way down the course. Wind, motor boats Coming through the Barrier there was plenty of space between the crews and Brookes weren't pushing UW. It seems the wind has impacted UW ....and hence would have impacted Brookes also - pushing them closer to the middle. It happens in race conditions. Its not ideal for either crew. Both would have preferred a competitive race. But you cannot begrudge a crew celebrating given the effort they put in preparing for one of the most signfiicant events in their calendar. That and the races they've had to win to get to the final. Yes i am a Brookes rowing alumni

Just about everything you said I’ll agree with, but these are supposed to be the two fastest, non-Olympic, crews in the world this year. These two coxswains should equally be at the top of their game. That means weather conditions, one side pulling harder than the other, and keeping a straight line should come second nature. Both of these coxswains screwed up, cause I bet the brooks coxswain didn’t even know he was squeezing them, which makes him just as bad! Just saying, these aren’t the kind of mistakes that should be made by the Best! UW, Henley x 2, Nat. Team x 2 Alumni

What on earth happened there?

Agree that the Brooke's cox squeezed UW over. Don't agree that that is "great steering by Brooke's". I'd call it "dishonorable" considering all the work all of the competitors put in, laboring in obscurity, for the chance to put it all on the line for each other. To steal that away to get the win is antithetical to the sport I love. I know others try it too. Still not ok.

Great steering from Brooke's. The cox squeezed them over and Washington cox fell for it. If he had held his station brookes would have been warned.

??!??!?

UW would’ve won.