ADI Screens Line Thames for Xchanging Boat Race

ADI supplied LED screens to the world’s most famous boat race at this weekend’s Xchanging Boat Race on the Thames.

iCONIC 15 in Bishop's Park near the start of the raceThe annual event sees crews from the world’s two most famous universities – Oxford and Cambridge – battle it out in a Race whose history stretches back nearly 200 years, following a challenge between two friends from the opposing universities back in 1829.

A further iCONIC 15 was positioned further down the course in Furnival GardensIn the first of a five year deal to supply LED screens to the world-famous event, ADI provided three screens for the Race, which takes place on a 4 mile 374 yard course stretching between Putney and Mortlake.  The screens helped to entertain the huge crowds of a quarter of a million that line the banks of the Thames for the Saturday afternoon Race that attracts a global audience in more than 150 countries.

40sq.m. ground supported screen looks out across the Thames from Bishops ParkADI’s screens were positioned in two different locations, beginning with a 40m² screen in Bishop’s Park by the start at Putney Bridge.  Because of the limited access to the area, ADI built a modular screen on their ground support structure, rather than supplying a mobile LED screen.  ADI supplied a self-contained solution, including generator, fencing and security for the screen, which faced across the river to entertain the large crowds and Boat Houses.

On Race day morning ADI arrived on site at 9am to position the two mobile LED screens – one in Bishop’s Park and another in Furnival Gardens, which is a popular area to watch the Race from, being close to a number of pubs!  Both screens were iCONIC 15 models, which were ideal for their locations as they have double-sided 15m² screens meaning they could be viewed by crowds from all sides.  They also feature on-board PA systems and generators, providing The Boat Race with a full self-contained solution.

The screens began running content from late morning, broadcasting a pre-Race programme the ADI’s production department had produced, including highlights from previous years’ races and sponsors logos and messages.  The iCONICs also played out audio provided by Absolute Radio to generate a party atmosphere on the banks of the Thames as the crowds began to gather.  At 3.10pm as the start time approached, the screens switched to a live feed from host broadcaster BBC Sport, with a full build-up programme, before the Race got under way at 4.30pm.

With the Race taking place over a 4 and a quarter mile stretch of the Thames, ADI’s screens were an essential source of entertainment, as the crowds were able to follow the whole of the Race once it had passed by their vantage point. 

“This was the first year in a five year agreement with ADI as exclusive LED screen supplier to The Xchanging Boat Race, and we are very happy with how the contract has started.

As well as an excellent on-the-day service, ADI also providing great service in the build-up, offering valuable advice and managing production of on-screen content. I look forward to working with them again on the 2011 Race.”

Julia Lindsey, Race Organiser, The Boat Race Company Limited

The Race itself proved to be one of the most exciting in recent years, with underdogs Cambridge coming through to win by just over a length, having trailed Oxford for the first half of the Race.  Following the Race, ADI’s screens broadcast the presentation ceremony and the traditional dunking of the winning team’s cox in the Thames, after which the crowds began to dissipate and the screens switched to a loop of sponsors’ content.  At around 5.30pm, ADI began to derig the screens, with the mobile screens clear within the hour and the ground supported screen dismantled by 7.30pm.