The Brotherhood ready for the challenge
The media is only covering the women’s side of the Big Boat Race on August 25, involving Kate Middleton and The Sisterhood all-women team.
The Sisterhood team steered by magnificent Kate Middleton
This is a slight to the men’s team, The Brotherhood, who are presented as a support act to the curvaceous and immensely talented bunch of Sisterhood chicks, led by A-List celebrity Kate Winslett Middleton. Here at last is a picture of the gallant men’s crew :
Nelson’s finest, The Brotherhood. England expects.
I had to go to the Melbourne Herald Sun to dig out some comments from the lads. #
Men’s team The Brotherhood fears the speedboats full of photographers chasing the girls’ team will hamper their efforts. Queenslander Johnson, 27, said there was a strong chance the men would capsize and was ready to put his lifeguard training to use.
Strang, 34, of Perth, who runs a London-based toy company that exports boomerangs to Australia, said the challenge was “more adventure than we knew we were getting in for. Because of Kate’s involvement, we’ve had TV crews from the US and reporters from Germany. It’s turned a little crazy,” he said.
If the Aussies among them want a local comparison to the difficulty level of this crossing, I suggest they think in terms of the Sydney-Hobart yacht race on Boxing Day each year. It’s not as long, but it may prove even more hazardous.
It’s time someone got behind the men’s team in this race. Royal Anecdotes will be flying Nelson’s famous flag salute on the day : “England expects every man to do his duty.”
The signal flags sent the message from Nelson: “England expects every man to do his duty.” But as I recall, the word “duty” wasn’t in the code book so they substituted “best” or perhaps it was “utmost.” John, do you recall what the signal actually was? At my age, some of the things you learned that you thought you’d never forget suddenly begin to get a bit fuzzy.
By Gigi on August 6th, 2007 at 4:46 pm
I think “duty” is mostly quoted, Gigi, but signals often have a lot of alternative meanings — like the Chinese language.
By John on August 6th, 2007 at 4:55 pm
There’s this thing called the Internets, it tells you stuff, like that “duty” was spelled out:
Link
PS: Is it really appropriate to distinguish between the men’s and women’s teams by referring to one of them as “the curvaceous ones”?
By ClassyCanuck on August 6th, 2007 at 7:35 pm
Maybe you should have read a little further. That site’s general disclaimer admits they make no claims of validity because anyone with an account can alter the content. That is the problem with the internet. Anyone can post things on a site, call it an encyclopedia, and some people actually believe everything they post. I am not one of those believers.
By Gigi on August 6th, 2007 at 7:51 pm
I have only recently discovered this blog and it is so well written and witty that I now check it every day. I love the comments as well. I don’t know if Prince William will ever marry the very pretty Ms. Middleton but the story as it is told here grows more fascinating each day.
By Mary on August 6th, 2007 at 10:17 pm
One more hooked! Be careful because you begin to check it from time to time and then one day you check it 30 times a day!
By Lilyfromfrance on August 6th, 2007 at 10:30 pm
The current gossip is that Kate has now been forced to quit the race due to security and press concerns and is said to be very upset. If this is indication about how the palace will control the rest of her life she need to run FAST. Why couldn’t they have asked her to quit or not participate a long time ago? Great site, John!
By Sarah on August 7th, 2007 at 12:42 am
guys, i just read a few articles that say kate is no longer going to do the race…. :-S
By Ziny on August 7th, 2007 at 2:18 am
yep, Ziny, you’re right. I’ve been reading them, too.
Back to this thread, I love it! Thans for the article, John. In my opinion I think the presence of paparazzi will only make it more of a hindrance, not necesarrily more dangerous. What I really love is their costumes! Hilarious!!
By surfergirl on August 7th, 2007 at 3:22 am