The spell was finally broken in 1986 when Cambridge beat Oxford by a convincing seven lengths. The Oxford team wouldn't "gel" and ominously included an American rower Chris Clark who had this to say in his speech at the annual Oxford Boat Race dinner; "Next year we're gonna kick ass. Cambridge's ass. Even if I have to go home and bring the whole U.S. squad with me".

The speech didn't go down too well and set the scene for a fundamental argument about star players vs. teams, training, tradition and general sportsmanship that I haven't seen better expressed anywhere.

The attitude of the Americans with regard to the coach was more or less summed up by, "We're not doing that Dan. We just don't wanna do that. - No f...ing way."

As Chris Clark explained, "We all know that you think the Boat Race is different to any other race, and that it needs a special type of training programme. Well we all know that's bullshit. So if you have to say it, then just say it once. Because we don't want to hear it again." No training two sessions a day especially Saturday. Sculling is out  - "You got that O.K. Dan?" - "These guys are the best. We don't need to train. We are so good we could just turn up on the day and beat Cambridge."

The Oxford University Boat Club view represented by it's president and crew member Donald Macdonald and Dan Topolski was different. As Topolski says on page 141, "For me their actions, with all their broken promises, was an example of cynical opportunism at its worst. Because deep down I knew that they had broken that sacred trust, the very fabric which holds all Oxford Boat Race oarsmen together. Loyalty to the cause, to crewmates, to the elected President and his coaches, the bond that for me was the cornerstone of our long period of success. We were like a family - Dark Blue men of the Tideway who shared so much pain and triumph together. To breach that trust was unforgivable. And in my view that was what they had done.

To make matters worse, both viewpoints were encouraged and tended to harden. The American rowers despite their poor trial results were still theoretically the "star team" and attracted the John McEnroe / Jimmy Conners type fashion following with most of the young crew pulling to their side.

Of the remainder, Donald Macdonald and Hugh Pelham pulled for the the authority of the coaches and the O.U.Boat Club with the backing of past champions and the Oxford establishment. Somewhat uncomfortably for Topolski, Macdonald took the lead from his brother in the Parachute Regiment to impose a military type discipline on his recalcitrant crew in a take it or leave it meeting at Oxford's Vincent's Club. He sacked the ringleaders of what the British press was now calling the Oxford Boat Race Mutiny with Chris Clark, Dan Lyons and Jon Fish exiting the team.

However Oxford University Boat Club isn't the Parachute Regiment and things started to get messy with  (top)

The question was finally resolved in a meeting of the Captains of Colleges in February on a motion of confidence on the Presidency of Donald Macdonald.

In the event, previously hostile captains wavered, Mike Spracklen changed sides expressing his full support for Topolski's chosen team with the inclusion of McDonald and exclusion of Clark, Lyons and Fish and  the remainder of the U.S. contingent quit the boat in solidarity with their American colleagues.

The (American) Campion Hall Captain Michael Suarez stated some relevant facts that were getting obscured in the acrimony:

1: In the overall placings Macdonald finishes first. Easily. Clark finishes ninth. Fifth among the weaker bowside men.
2: In the sculling boats, which the coaches value so highly, Macdonald is first by miles. Clark is nowhere near him.
3: All of Clark's results are down on his performances last year. All of Macdonald's are up.

He then asks the logical question, "Is there anyone in this room who would select Clark over Macdonald? Because if there is, I suggest with the greatest respect that you may be leaving yourself open to ridicule." and continued, "These results clearly prove Macdonald to be both a highly competent oarsman, and the kind of President who leads his team by example, by being the best. Again and again he has produced winning results.. Is there anyone on this room who is prepared to say the same of Christopher Clark?"

- "But who are we to contest the considered opinion not merely of Macdonald himself, but the overwhelming majority of Oxford's coaches? Would that be fair?"
- "The rebels pledged they would abide by the coaches' decision. Now they threaten to walk out - Is that also fair?"
- "And yet, these events bring us together tonight to question the integrity of Donald Macdonald - How can that possibly be fair?"

And finally re. Christopher Clark, "You and your friends have done serious damage to the O.U.B.C. because of your own selfishness. You are an embarrassment to this university - you are an embarrassment to your sport - and you are an embarrassment to the United States of America. I suggest that you accept your failure like a man."

After the departure of the "stars" Dan Topolski had the impossible task of rebuilding a team of eight for the 8th March Boat Race. He bet on bad weather and rough water altering equipment and switching round his crew putting the strong Gavin Stewart at leading stroke and despite 6:1 odds against amazingly created a crew that had the morale and energy to go on and win the race four lengths clear of the favourites.

I found the last two chapters un-put downable.