Added this article ahead of the newsletter circulation date of the 12th of each month because the Women’s Boat Race is on the 24th March in Henley and the Men’s on 31st March on the Tideway in London.
It was agreed some time ago that the Kavia injection moulded 2K bow balls would be used on the complete Oxford University boat fleet and boat race crews when we only had a prototype. Since then we have made a production tool and have our own race to deliver products in time for the boat race crews.
The innovation is in the two-part over-moulded design is unique and solves a number of long term problems with existing bow ball designs. The strengthened coloured core (Oxford Blue on this occasion but you can choose from 4 standard colours or specify a custom colour to suit your club or boat livery) offers extra durability because it is mechanically locked into and covered by the white over-mould outer protecting it from degrading UV light and also has better resistance to tearing around the fixing hole. Combined, the 2K Bow Ball offers better value for money with longer life and increased safety performance.
Oxford Head Coach Sean Bowden enquired if there was a performance advantage such as aerodynamics, the design certainly does have a lower drag coefficient but unlikely to be any advantage at the speeds rowing boats travel. Lets hope there isn’t a repeat of last years event with a protestor in the water but the 2K bow ball will be much safer product for all parties.
The Men’s Boats Race has a long history with the first race in 1829 but since 1856 have they been held annually every year since (except for World War interruptions). 2013 is the 159th race with Cambridge leading Oxford with 81 vs. 76 wins. The smallest winning margin was in 2003 of just 1 foot going to Oxford. The course is 4 miles and 374 yards (6.8km) between Putney and Mortlake and the last course record was set in 1998 by Cambridge with a time of 16 minutes and 19 seconds. There has been one dead heat in 1877 and 6 sinking’s. Sliding seats were used for the first time in 1873. The first woman cox was in 1981. The boats weigh 96kg (211lbs) and are 19.9m (62ft) long.
The Women’s Boat Race was founded in 1927, only becoming a permanent fixture in the mid 60’s. Currently racing at Henley but on the verge of moving to the Tideway in 2015 to share the day and sponsorship with the men, quite right too. Cambridge leads Oxford with 40 vs. 26 wins.
Kavia Moulded Products are extremely proud to be associated with such a prestigious rowing event and Oxford University Boat Race Crews. The TV event is watched by 9 million in the UK and a total of 400 million TV and radio audience worldwide so you can’t better product placement then that.For more 2k bow ball product information, click here.
