Clare Balding: 'Grand National doesn’t need my help, women’s sport does'
The 161st Boat Race will see the women’s race staged on the same course and day as the men
SHE'S presented the Grand National at Aintree since 1997, but this year Clare Balding has decided to bow out in favour of the famous Oxford versus Cambridge Boat Race.
For the first time in its 183-year history, the Boat Race will be hosting the women’s event on the same day as the men’s, marking a huge turning point in women’s sport – and, as a renowned advocate of female sport, it’s an event Clare did not want to miss out on.
The 44 year old, who will lead the coverage on BBC1, recently said, “I felt I couldn’t say all I say about women in sport and then not be there that first time the women are on the Tideway.”
She took to social media to defend her decision to snub the Grand National, writing, “I believe that sometimes you’ve got to do something unexpected to make your point. My point being that women’s sport matters.”
Despite a negative reception from the equine world, Clare has no qualms about leaving the Grand National this year.
“There will never be another first women’s Boat Race on the Tideway. The Grand National doesn’t need my help, women’s sport does.”
