Cover Credit: The Boat Race, Naomi Baker 2017
As was said by one commentator said Twitter “we have now reached the point where a rowing event going ahead would be considerably bigger news than one being cancelled.”
This does not mean, however, that the cancellation of the 2020 Boat Race is not one that comes with great sadness to many. Not least the athletes who trained so hard to earn their seats, but also the dedicated team of staff, volunteers and umpires who gave up so much of their time over recent months for what was set to be one of the most exciting races in recent history.
Before the verdict was delivered, however, we got the chance to speak to Bronya Sykes, a 1st year Blue Boat hopeful at Cambridge, who described her average day as a full-time athlete, and full-time scholar.
A Day in the Life of a Cambridge Blue:
The Cambridge athletes concentrate their training on the water at the new Ely boathouse which allows them to utilise the quiet, uninterrupted water of the Ouse, including the famous Queen Adelaide Strait; the envy of clubs up and down the nation.
As such, Bronya is up and out before 5 AM to get on the early train to Ely where she and the squad can expect to be on the water by 6:45 for a long 16K UT2 Session. After which it’s a “mad dash” back to the train station to get back to Cambridge for 9 AM lectures.
The rowers will then typically spend the morning in lectures and practicals until around 1 PM when they’ll reconvene at Goldie Boathouse in Cambridge for that day’s land session, whether it be a long UT2 erg, physiological testing or a Strength and Conditioning session. After this, they’ll return to the University for afternoon supervisions, one of the defining features of both the Oxford and Cambridge collegiate structure within the University.
The rowing and timetabled academics are only one part of the story, the additional work needed for a demanding course at Cambridge is equivalent to a full-time job, so how do the athletes fit their independent studying into their timetables?
“For me personally, I have to have a very strict timetable in my head… It’s very easy to waste time otherwise”
Bronya, like many other CU athletes across sporting disciplines, relies on a strong timetable to allow her to complete her essays on time, whilst not compromising on training. As a first-year she found that balancing rowing and academics was one of her most challenging tasks, but in the true blue spirit she took it in her stride, and now views it as one of her greatest strengths.
Other top tips include getting bags backed the night before so you can “catch every moment of sleep” before throwing the covers off and stepping out into the brisk spring mornings. Similarly, preparing meals in advance can save you a few hours a week.
We at JRN are deeply saddened by the cancellation of the 2020 Boat Race, but entirely respect the decision made by the Boat Race Company to protect athletes, staff, and spectators.
There will likely be further, dramatic interruptions to this year’s rowing programme, with the Tokyo Olympics hanging in the balance, and the future of Henley 2020 under serious review by the Stewards.
We will continue to preview any races likely to go ahead and utilise the JRN Opinion platform to keep the community updated on the latest developments from both HM Government and British Rowing.
Until then, we urge you to follow Public Health advice and wish anyone who has contracted Covid-19 a speedy recovery so we can get back to what we do best: Rowing.
Ed Evans
Opinions Editor
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