What are the main challenges the umpire faces during the race?
The role of the umpire is twofold; safety and fairness. Whilst the concern for the safety of the crews is ever-present, the most visible challenge is to ensure that the race is fair and to avoid clashes as each cox works to get the best water and any possible advantage for his or her crew. In poor conditions the umpire has the added challenge of assessing the effect of the weather on the racing line and ensuring that the crews are not in danger. Picture of the 2007 race, umpired by Peter Bridge, via David Wilmot’s Flickr stream.
