I still get a tear in my eyes when I watch this, makes me so proud to be English. I'm not going to lie, I'm not a rowing fan by any means, but what makes this captivating for me is the sheer will and British grit. This eptitomises determination.
Ha! Great! This is one of those 'remember where you were when it happened' moments. I was living in New Zealand at the time (I'm British). Usually of a calm disposition this was the only time in my life I have been up out of my chair, jumping up and down, shouting at the telly!! I'll never forget it. Was the best sporting/telly moment ever! Bravo to all the crews. An amazing race.
I was living in New Zealand at the time (a great rowing nation) and saw the race on the tv. I'm normally quite a calm collected fellow but this was the only time I have ever been up out of my seat screaming at the telly! It was a relief from the start to see GB dominate from the off. The last few strokes were pretty hairy though. Thanks for posting. I've got the Gold Fever programmes on DVD which I'll post if I get around to it.
Greatest Olympic athlete of all time. Most of my fellow Americans would say I'm blaspheming the name of Michael Phelps, but no. For Redgrave to keep at such a high level over the course of 20 years is astounding.
Michael phelps is really good but Ian Thorpe was saying it is easier to win multiple medals in swimming than other sports do Steve Redgrave is still a legend
@Ifonly67 Nah... In good eight they're all equally powerful and technically well balanced. And stroke doesn't give only rhytm, he gives power on the each stroke as well.
I watched this live and I dont recall this commentary. I clearly remember one commentator shouting "The Italians are coming" right at the end. Maybe I just imagined that or perhaps it was broadcast on two channels
I remember watching this at 6am and I almost cried. is it just me or are the british the most patriotic nation in the world? i wonder how many americans, aussies cry when 1 of their countryman does something good?
USA akways do well at olympic games. At the 1996 Olympics Redgrave and Pinsent won the only Gold medal GBR got at those games. These Olympics were the start of a turnaround for GBR.
If I could be half the man that redgrave is, and have achieved what he half of what he has done outside the olympics I would know I have led a good life
That is correct, except Topolski was the 'expert' commentator in both versions. In the first, he's practically creaming himself with excitement, in the second when, as you point out, he already knows the result, he's practically, "yeah Redgrave wins" ignoring the Italians surging in the final metres. It's even worse with the eights. At 500m to go, he declares "Britain aren't going to be caught!" and the other commentator says, pointedly, "I wish I was as certain as you!"
I hate when people are saying that the strongest men sit in the middle of the boat and technicians on the end of the boat. They're all equally powerful if they row together without steering problems ... and look at the Great Britain four... Redgrave and Foster, who are sitting in the middle of the boat are less powerful than the stroke Matthew Pinsent and bow James Cracknell ... so your theory proves nothing ...
Let me give an insight as to possibly why...This version is I believe the FISA version. Why? Dan Topolski commentated on this with the BBC with Garry Herbert and the other guy commentated on this for Eurosport with another famous former British sculler. Therefore, they do this version after the moment ie they know who won! Great commentaries will always take place at the actual moment as their voice cannot hide their own excitement at what is happening before their very eyes.
I know most of you will disagree with me but for me the Olympic games is a showcase of excellence and I hate to pick an achievement over another. I believe that Steve Redgrave's fifth gold is certainly one of the greatest moments in Olympic history, but I hate to choose it as "the greatest" over the heroics of Chris Foy, the achievements of Michael Phelps, the wins of Jesse Owens in a highly segregated olympics, Usain Bolt making us dream in two Olympics, Daley Thompson and Mark Spitzer.
Wierd. Watched it on terrestrial but the commentary at the end was almost manic, kept shouting about the team catching Brits, was way more emotional. This was like "theyve won it" from a few hundreds yards out. Maybe I had the Radio 5 Live commentary on while watching the Beeb visuals...
Met Steve Redgrave at the Women's Boat Race on Sunday, where his daughter was rowing for Oxford. What a gent. What a hero. What a nice guy.
I still get a tear in my eyes when I watch this, makes me so proud to be English. I'm not going to lie, I'm not a rowing fan by any means, but what makes this captivating for me is the sheer will and British grit. This eptitomises determination.
Ha! Great! This is one of those 'remember where you were when it happened' moments. I was living in New Zealand at the time (I'm British). Usually of a calm disposition this was the only time in my life I have been up out of my chair, jumping up and down, shouting at the telly!! I'll never forget it. Was the best sporting/telly moment ever! Bravo to all the crews. An amazing race.
All four are loved
I never get tired watching this.
I was living in New Zealand at the time (a great rowing nation) and saw the race on the tv. I'm normally quite a calm collected fellow but this was the only time I have ever been up out of my seat screaming at the telly! It was a relief from the start to see GB dominate from the off. The last few strokes were pretty hairy though. Thanks for posting. I've got the Gold Fever programmes on DVD which I'll post if I get around to it.
There have been many incredible Olympic rowing finals. But this one will surely go down in history as perhaps the most significant in our modern era.
Great Redgrave, great Pinsent, congratulations to four british cavaliers, but italians were very good too!
Greatest Olympic athlete of all time. Most of my fellow Americans would say I'm blaspheming the name of Michael Phelps, but no. For Redgrave to keep at such a high level over the course of 20 years is astounding.
Absolute legend and our greatest olympian ever. Gold at five separate olympics stands him out.
Best rowers of their generation, Redgrave and Pinset especially, but Cracknell and Foster were fantastic as well
My left ear was thrilled by this!
Thanks for adding me in it
0.38 secs thats one hell of regata! Legend
Carlo you are the best!
Epic epic win. Stayed up to watch this!
just pinsent......the best rower ever......
I wish to commentators wouldn't talk over the start of races. Respect the start guys. It's an enormous moment for athletes and those of us watching.
it amazes me at how calm international boats look at high rate
Makes me so proud!!!
Michael phelps is really good but Ian Thorpe was saying it is easier to win multiple medals in swimming than other sports do Steve Redgrave is still a legend
my right ear is jealous of my left.
That race seemed far closer than the commentator made out. Glad he wasn't wrong!
16 years; still the guy is a monster
RIP Dan Topolski
Great GB and great Italy
one of the most intense endurance sports in the world. You need lots of mental and physical strength to keep the strokes until the end...
James Cracknell won the 2019 Boat Race with Cambridge University while completing an MA.
PhD
A beautiful end to Sir Redgrave´s career
Anyone got a link for the ITV coverage of this race? The commentary was much more emotional.
ive met steve and hes a legend. mat pinsent IMO, best stroke in the world.
Redgrave is a ionic athlete 5 consective gold medals is such a feat he is an inpiration to many young people
It has to be Sir Steve Redgrave to light the Olympic Cauldron on July 27th :-)
@Ifonly67 Nah... In good eight they're all equally powerful and technically well balanced. And stroke doesn't give only rhytm, he gives power on the each stroke as well.
good race. go redgrave
TIMI, APART FROM BEING SUCH A CUTIE: WHAT AMAZING WILL POWER TO FIND YOUR WAY BACK TO THE OARSOME FOURSOME! YOU ROCK, BABY!
16 years!
Fors no 1 steven good
I watched this live and I dont recall this commentary. I clearly remember one commentator shouting "The Italians are coming" right at the end. Maybe I just imagined that or perhaps it was broadcast on two channels
as an athlete, very few come close to Pinsent. freakish pair of lungs and keeps coming at you. ie impossible to beat!
I remember watching this at 6am and I almost cried. is it just me or are the british the most patriotic nation in the world? i wonder how many americans, aussies cry when 1 of their countryman does something good?
USA akways do well at olympic games. At the 1996 Olympics Redgrave and Pinsent won the only Gold medal GBR got at those games. These Olympics were the start of a turnaround for GBR.
I cannot wait for London 2012!
7:15 GBR just GOES
If I could be half the man that redgrave is, and have achieved what he half of what he has done outside the olympics I would know I have led a good life
Im an American and we did pretty bad here. The different between Britain and all the other teams is their lengths. Look at them!
tim foster used to go to my school
i had the same coach that coached him!
you're right.
Classic race, thanks for posting it! Would you happen to have the VIIIs final from Sydney too?
That is correct, except Topolski was the 'expert' commentator in both versions. In the first, he's practically creaming himself with excitement, in the second when, as you point out, he already knows the result, he's practically, "yeah Redgrave wins" ignoring the Italians surging in the final metres. It's even worse with the eights. At 500m to go, he declares "Britain aren't going to be caught!" and the other commentator says, pointedly, "I wish I was as certain as you!"
I hate when people are saying that the strongest men sit in the middle of the boat and technicians on the end of the boat. They're all equally powerful if they row together without steering problems ... and look at the Great Britain four... Redgrave and Foster, who are sitting in the middle of the boat are less powerful than the stroke Matthew Pinsent and bow James Cracknell ... so your theory proves nothing ...
Great performance by GB, particularly carrying Redgrave down the whole course. He was like an anchor in that race!
Guys, its a rowing video. Please comment about rowing and/or athletes in the sport.
when did that erg race btwn pinsent and cracknell happen?
Go Australia!!!!
Let me give an insight as to possibly why...This version is I believe the FISA version. Why? Dan Topolski commentated on this with the BBC with Garry Herbert and the other guy commentated on this for Eurosport with another famous former British sculler. Therefore, they do this version after the moment ie they know who won! Great commentaries will always take place at the actual moment as their voice cannot hide their own excitement at what is happening before their very eyes.
@markpub The world's best sporting event on home soil. That's why.
what is the top speed?
yea a lot more common in 4s, you want your two strongest guys in middle pair whatever side they are.
My coach is in here :D
@Veslanjejezivot Yea but in an 8 or Octo:
Stroke/7: There pumpin out your rythm
6/5/4/3: POWER!!!!!
2/1: Technical rowers/looking pretty...
no, they were 1994-1998.
Paul Walker from Australia???
the announcer seems to be David Goldstrom i spose
Didn't know Premier League referee Chris Foy was a great Olympian...
yeaaaa !!!! best
steven scretching his bals... ^^
ahahahahah
Wow
i meant "still a legend"
100% sure 2000
my double is called Tim Foster :O
Steve Redgrave had the gold medal before he started!!
id say it is a down right greater achievement, I highly doubt micheal Phelps will continue to dominate in the same manner that Steve Redgrave did
tim foster went to my school.
I love Redgrave, what a rower, just great!
More rowing on my channel. ;)
yeah but phelps won 6 gold in 2004 as well, steve is still legend
Why is the commentator Stewie Griffin?
is the oarsome foursome in this race?
sydney you brid
I know most of you will disagree with me but for me the Olympic games is a showcase of excellence and I hate to pick an achievement over another. I believe that Steve Redgrave's fifth gold is certainly one of the greatest moments in Olympic history, but I hate to choose it as "the greatest" over the heroics of Chris Foy, the achievements of Michael Phelps, the wins of Jesse Owens in a highly segregated olympics, Usain Bolt making us dream in two Olympics, Daley Thompson and Mark Spitzer.
That sounds more like it, just had a level of excitement of the race that this clip misses.
same here! ex coach i should say now
they must be so nervous
Gary Herbert was no where near this race the commentators are Greeny and (no one will let me coach so i'll coach this race) Topolski.
commentater is gary herpert who poops himself. Hes the one that says "one last time" then "JUST!!!!!!"
@rossiplum50 ooh err!
Arguably? More like definitely.
i live in canada and everyone is saying how they will win it but we'll get the last laugh they have bad technique. COME ON GREAT BRITAIN
Especially as Phelps has flopped now, I agree
Wierd. Watched it on terrestrial but the commentary at the end was almost manic, kept shouting about the team catching Brits, was way more emotional. This was like "theyve won it" from a few hundreds yards out.
Maybe I had the Radio 5 Live commentary on while watching the Beeb visuals...
aw david goldstrom comments!!! lol
i dont think it is rubbish!
Worst bit of commentary ever. They do not do the race justice, the Italians nearly beat us.
no shit, 5 consecutive golds..
@johnchuter12 Hate to break it to you mate but that's not even kind of true
1990-1998 sorry.
i've swum in that place
cox? skull? you don't have to be as tall...
I know a bloke with a commonwealth gold and he's slightly shorter than I am...probs 6" 1
an extremist James Cagney anybody?
The 3 dislikes must be the Italians!
or he can lance my piles.