Summer sport in the UK is usually associated with rain delays, not catching rays — but this past week, sports fans and athletes alike have felt the full force of the year’s first heatwave.
From Katie Boulter’s ice towels at the Nottingham Open to health concerns at Royal Ascot, results were arguably decided by stamina as much as skill. Cricket has always been about mastery of the conditions and in Leeds the hard outfield and clear skies saw both India and England pile on the runs either side of a seasonal shower.
With the mercury pushing past 30 ahead of the weekend’s action, the UK Health Security Agency and the Met Office issued an amber heat health alert covering all of England through Monday morning due to increased health risks for people over 65 and those with heart and lung problems. Scientists say that extreme weather events are more likely due to the effects of climate change and so the past few days may offer a window into what sport may look like in the future.
High stakes at Ascot
One of the UK’s biggest meets, Royal Ascot wrapped up on Saturday after Lazzat pipped Satono Reve to the post in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes. On Thursday, favourite Trawlerman, ridden by William Buick, led from the start to win the Gold Cup, making up for missing out last year on a baking hot Ladies Day afternoon.
The high temperatures and dry weather at the Berkshire track caused the going to be updated to good to firm, good in places, on the eve of the meet. The hard ground helped Trawlerman set a new track record of four minutes, 15.02 seconds, beating the previous mark set by Rite Of Passage in 2010.
Royal Ascot’s traditional formal dress code was hardly ideal for the conditions facing the more than 250,000 racegoers who attended the five-day event. According to the BBC, racecourse officials said that dozens of people required medical assistance because of heat-related illness on the second day.
Boulter and Draper wilt
British women’s No. 2 Katie Boulter admitted her struggles playing under the midday sun at the Nottingham Open, saying she is “proper British” and “can’t handle the heat.”
The 28-year-old made the comments after battling to 6-4, 1-6, 7-5 win over compatriot Sonay Kartal in an energy sapping clash that lasted two hours and 26 minutes. Boulter made use of ice towels to keep cool during the marathon contest on Thursday.
“The heat was killing me today,” Boulter said. “I’m proper British, I can’t handle the heat. I always find the British heat different to anything else. I’ve played in Australia when it’s 40 degrees, I’ve played in humidity in Thailand, in Washington, and I’m completely fine. I come here in the UK and it’s 20-odd degrees and I’m dying.”
Boulter was thwarted in her efforts to win a third consecutive Nottingham Open title as she was beaten by American McCartney Kessler in the quarterfinals on Friday.
Jack Draper missed out on a place in the final at Queen’s as he was narrowly beaten 6-4, 4-6, 7-5 by world No. 30 Jiri Lehecka in west London on Saturday.
Draper pressed ice packs against his head and took his shirt off while sitting under an umbrella as he attempted to reduce his core body temperature.
As if his struggles in the summer heat weren’t enough, Draper revealed after the match that he was playing while suffering from the effects of tonsillitis.
“Today’s probably the worst I have felt,” Draper said. “Did I think about withdrawing? No, not at all. I’m in the semifinals at Queen’s. I’d probably go on court with a broken leg. I wouldn’t have pulled out for anything.”
Sun and showers at Headingley
Cricketers are no stranger to battling the elements but England perhaps misjudged the conditions in West Yorkshire.
Ben Stokes choosing to put India into bat under blue skies at Headingley raised eyebrows and the sight of Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant each bringing up a ton saw the decision come under heavy scrutiny.
The high temperatures had no major ill effect on players or supporters, though, with the combination of an often cloudless sky and firm pitch creating the perfect conditions for batting.
However, England were delayed in making their reply to India’s first innings score of 471 by a shower that brought the grounds staff rushing onto the pitch to cover the square.
Another downpour curtailed play at the end of day three.
Information from the Associated Press contributed to this report.
