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Hands across the water from the Boat Race Trial crews named Romulus and Remus at the end of what was called the Oxford Women’s “A” Race held on 15 December.
22 December 2023
By Tim Koch
Tim Koch finds that there is some truth in an old legend.
The newly unified Oxford University Boat Club (now comprising men’s and women’s openweights and lightweights) ran men’s and women’s “A” and “B” races with rowers selected from the whole club. Thus, the “B” Races were not exclusively lightweight. This was marketed as a logical move by a united club – though some cynics suggested that it was because not enough lightweights were available.
The two “A” crews chose the names Romulus and Remus after the twin brothers who were the legendary founders of Rome. However, Romulus eventually slew Remus and, spoiler alert, 2777 years later on 15 December 2023, history repeated itself.
On Wednesday, 13 December, Cambridge had to contend with some “Biblical” weather conditions but, two days later, Oxford had a benign River Thames for their Trials. Both camps claimed that their conditions provided the most beneficial experience.The original Romulus and Remus were suckled by a she-wolf but Oxford’s contemporary versions proved to have also been well-nourished by their less lupine new head coach, Alan French.Remus was on Surrey and were wearing blue tops. Romulus was on Middlesex, the crew wearing white base layers. Remus had the cleaner start but Romulus was more aggressive and took a slight lead with the crews rating 39 – 40.Romulus was coxed by 2023 Blue, Tara Slade, and stroked by 2022 Blue, Annie Anezakis. The other Blue was Julia Lindsay at “7” (2021 and 2022). The full list of the crews is here.After the first minute, Remus was slightly up despite the fact that the bend favoured Romulus, but from the Barn Elms buoy, Romulus took a small lead and was about a quarter of a length up by the Mile Post. Both crews were rating around 35.Remus was also coxed and stroked by Blues, Joe Gellett (2022) and Sarah Marshall (2023). Other Blues include President Ella Stadler at “7” (2023), Freya Willis at “5” (2023) and Maria Nielsen-Scott at “4” (2023).Passing Fulham Reach Boat Club the crews were proving to be evenly matched.A screenshot from the livestream shows Remus slightly ahead in the approach to Hammersmith Bridge.Shooting the bridge, parallax error in this picture gives Remus an apparently greater lead than they had.Through Hammersmith Bridge.Passing St Paul’s School there is nothing in it.At the Old Ship, parallax error again favouring the crew nearest the camera. Sarah Marshall setting the rhythm for Remus.Passing Chiswick Church. From around the half-way point near Chiswick Eyot, Romulus had started to inch ahead.Romulus (in white) seem pleased with their performance.Romulus with a slight lead approaching Chiswick Pier.At the bandstand on Dukes Meadows.Passing Emanuel School Boat Club, just upstream of Barnes Bridge, Romulus keeps moving up, both boats observed by one of their men’s crews. Under Barnes Bridge.At the university post, Romulus led by a length-and-a-half over Remus, a result that belies how well both crews did.As soon as the finish line has been crossed, the two rivals become part of one squad again.Romulus stroke, Annie Anezakis, and “7”, Julia Lindsay, recover and reflect.
New Oxford Women’s Head Coach, Alan French, put together two exceptionally well-matched crews in his first Trial Eights race and the clash with Cambridge on 30 March promises to be more interesting than it has been for several years.
A recording of the livestream is on YouTube.
A report on the Oxford openweight Men’s Trial Eights will be posted tomorrow.
The 78th Women’s Boat Race and the 169th Men’s Boat Race will take place on 30 March 2024 at 14.46 and 15.46.
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