Sporting Event Of The Week (11)
My attention was diverted, albeit briefly, last Saturday by the ninth annual Varsity Goat Race, held at Spitalfields City Farm in London’s E1.
Two pygmy goats, Hamish and Hugo, sported the favours of the the two ancient universities, the former representing Oxford and the latter Cambridge, lockeinghorns before a sizeable crowd. There was even a bookmaker, Billy Hill (natch), on site for those who fancied a flutter, and the crowd was warmed up with live music.
Unlike that sporting relic of the distant past, the Boat Race, where Cambridge romped to victory, Hamish stormed into an unassailable lead, winning the coveted prize for the other University.
A good time was had by all, I kid you not. And I have no reports that there was a warming stew served after the contest.
A race of an altogether different sort is being planned by conservationists in New Zealand to raise funds for the endangered bird, the stitchbird or hihi. If they are unsuccessful, it will doubtless be known as the bibi.
For what is being known as the Great Hihi Sperm Race they have collected sperm from male birds from four different colonies and punters are invited to place a ten dollar bet on which of the 128 sperm samples swims the fastest. Winning punters will receive prized donated by sponsors.
For anyone interested there is a form guide, describing the attributes of each of the sperm donors. Quite what that will tell you about the speed of their sperm is anybody’s guess.
Still it has raised the profile of the bird’s plight and got my attention.
