Rain clouds prompted contestants in the Bidwells Punting Challenge to avoid splashes and drenchings, unlike previous years. An exciting race ensued nonetheless
Although glowering clouds beckoned rain, this year’s Bidwells Cambridge Punting Challenge was the driest one yet.
In previous, sunnier years, at least one unlucky person would be in for a drenching – perhaps the teams have been practising. And the usual buckets of water tipped over the bridge for the team coming in last were nowhere to be found. It is possible that the Olympics had inspired more serious competition.
Whether to make up for the dry race or demonstrate the stoic British attitude to the weather, one group took to sheltering under a tree with their post-punting drinks so as to better enjoy the Cam-side setting rather than head indoors out of the rain.
As for the race itself, despite Bidwells’ use of the EG “media” punt to thrust ahead at the start, its team did not finish in the top three, as Barker Storey Matthews once again stormed easily to victory, followed by Coel in second and Cheffins in third.
