One of the oldest sporting events in the world, Doggett’s Coat and Badge, has been a mainstay of the Thames Calendar for over 300 years. Conducted under a rolling river closure, scullers battle along a 7.4km course that snakes through arguably the best riverscape in the UK, beginning in the shadows of HMS Belfast, and ending 11 bridges later at Cadogan Pier in Chelsea.
In 2021, four oarsmen entered: Coran Cherry, Lucas Brittan, Max Carter-Miller and George Gilbert.
After a turbulent start, Carter-Miller began to establish what would soon become a titanic lead as he and Gilbert began to move clear of their competitors. In Doggett’s tradition, as the leading scullers neared Westminster, the umpire signalled for the flotilla to pass the two trailing watermen, firmly excluding Cherry and Brittan from the runnings.
As the race moved through the capital, Carter-Miller in light-blue moved clear of Gilbert, establishing – bar a minor miracle – an unbreakable lead. And indeed, as the urban sprawl of Lambeth hove into view, it was clear that Max Carter-Miller would take the win.
As such, the final jaunt up to Battersea was something of a formality for the leading pair, though a battle did emerge between Cherry and Brittan for third place. The former eventually came out on top; perhaps not surprising given Brittan only recently stepped back into the boat after a three-year hiatus.
And with that, the 307th rendition of Doggett’s Coat and Badge came to an end. On the podium, winner Max Carter-Miller commented on his ambitions to continue to climb the sport’s ranks, with a 2025 Diamonds campaign at Henley Royal not out of the question.
Max will be presented with the traditional Coat and Badge at a Dinner in Fishmongers hall later in the year but left today with a unique timepiece from Harold Pinchbeck Watches.
For a full replay of this year’s race, head over to the Doggett’s YouTube channel.
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