True Blue: Oxford Boat Race Mutiny
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| Paperback cover | |
| Author | Dan Topolski and Patrick Robinson |
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| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Genre(s) | Non-fiction |
| Publisher | Bantam Books |
| Released | 1989 |
| Media Type | Print (hardcover and paperback) |
| Pages | 320 |
| ISBN | ISBN 0-553-40003-7 |
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True Blue: Oxford Boat Race Mutiny is a non-fiction book written by Dan Topolski and Patrick Robinson and published in 1989. It tells the story of the 1987 Oxford-Cambridge Boat Race and the disagreement amongst the Oxford team known as the "Oxford mutiny". It won the William Hill Sports Book of the Year in 1989, the award's inaugural year.
A group of talented American oarsmen were enrolled at Oxford and were prepared to compete in the race. But they became embroiled in a conflict with the team president who wanted to place himself in the boat over more qualified, internationally seasoned oarsmen. This eventually led the Americans to protest the president's abuse of power by withdrawing en mass six weeks before the race was due to start. To the surprise of many, the Oxford boat went on to win the race.
A more accurate version of these events might read: A group of talented American oarsmen became embroiled in endless conflicts with the coach over training methods, team selection and even their favoured positions in the boat. After a bitter and well publicised conflict, the Americans withdrew en mass leaving their replacements only six weeks to train as a crew. To the surprise of many, the Oxford boat went on to win the race.
The "mutiny" or spat continues to divide rowing circles. It's not just about Anglo American antagonisms, but the whole amateur vs. professional debate. Notions of good sportsmanship were certainly lost in the struggle. The only authoritative account of the conflict comes very firmly from the perspective of last of the great non-professional coaches at Oxford (Daniel Topolski). However in the UK, almost all commentators and clubs now openly support the Oxford coach and club president (Donald MacDonald), even if they didn’t at the time.
It is interesting to note that the publicity this conflict attracted did wonders for the Boat Race and the new sponsor Beefeater Gin.
[edit] See also
- True Blue, a 1996 film based on the book
