Raging about rowing...

Miss SQ No 2's matric dance is all but upon us. Everything is ready,  and Prince Charming has finally been invited and willingly accepted the invitation. Happy days are here again, but not for long. Prince Charming is apparently a very good rower, (more than this we mothers are simply not allowed to know, or perish the thought, ask) and has since been summonsed to a training camp in Gauteng on the weekend of the dance. There has been no small amount of sadness about this, but as we all know, worse things happen at sea, and recently have, and we have a Plan B.  A good few sms's with sad faces have been received with strongly worded messages stating her feelings about rowing. However, where there's a will there's a way, and by some miracle, which is hopefully not detrimental to his rowing career, our fellow is somehow going to the dance, proving our South African saying, boer maak 'n plan. To that great patron saint of mothers of teenage daughters, I say a BIG "thank you."

So, rowing being the hot topic of the moment, I am full to overflowing with anger at this crackpot-halfwit called Trenton Oldfield, who leapt into the Thames causing the famous and hugely exciting Oxford/Cambridge Boat Race to be halted. He narrowly missed being decapitated (a pity, some might say) and drew worldwide attention to his half baked "anti elitist" cause. This coming from a guy born and raised Down Under, seemingly with a silver spoon in his mouth, with only the afflictions of his unfortunate name and features to blame for his misdeeds. Would they stand alone as being sufficient cause to scar him for life and excuse his bizarre and selfish behaviour?

Worst of all, he has single handedly dashed the hopes and dreams of the entire Oxford team, who have apparently gone through "seven months of hell," according to their captain, and who may never have a chance to relive or retry for this golden opportunity. For what? His own perverted attempts at creating some sort of justice against the inequality from which he has so obviously benefited, being so well educated, clothed and housed. How sad and ashamed his parents must be. Almost as sad as the many mums and dads who had encouraged and supported their rowing lads and hoped to cheer them on to victory. 

How heartbroken the Oxford team must be, and what a hollow victory for Cambridge.  A very sad day indeed. Just think of all the dates, dances and damsels they might have missed out on in pursuit of their dream of victory. I hope Trenton gets to do time in the looney bin and maybe the confessional for a spot of well deserved penance. It rather reminds me of that awful clash between Zola Budd and Mary Decker in the 1984 Olympics, when both their hopes were also so badly dashed. Although in that case, I still believe it was as a result of a bad accident. Nobody to blame there I don't think, well definitely not our little Zola. I can unashamedly confess that I wept buckets for that innocent, barefooted girl from Bloem, who simply wanted to run, and had gone to such great lengths to get to that 3000m women's race. 

Down with Trenton, who looked so smug and self satisfied being dragged off by the coppers in the face of all the misery and chaos he had caused! And may there be some divine form of consolation for all the disappointed and broken hearted rowers. Can there ever be any justice in this?


Your outraged, 


Suzy Q