Words: Olivia Bothamley-Dakin
Image above: the 2020 Cambridge men in action in Ely. Images below: the 2020 Presidents at the Presidents’ Challenge, held long before the cancelled Boat Race. Credit: Benedict Tufnell.
In nearly 200 years, the Boat Race has rarely been cancelled. Blue Boat rowers would sooner risk sinking than concede.
However in 2020, two weeks before race day, Covid-19 put a stop to the legendary rivalry taking place.
Amid the international scenes of loss and uncertainty, the athletes of the 2020 crews dispersed. The one goal they had trained seven months for was taken away and each rower was forced to process it individually.
All four teams were told the news separately. As Covid-19 hit the headlines, whispers went around about what would happen, but most athletes didn’t anticipate a cancellation.
Sophie Paine, the Cambridge 4-seat and later 2021 President recalled: “I remember it well. It was about 8pm and we were all pulled into Goldie for a meeting. You could hear a pin drop.”
Costi Levy, the Oxford Women’s Cox was told the news with the rest of her crew in London.
“The main thing I remember was the overwhelming amount of love, support and team camaraderie.
“Everything that year up to that point was directed towards the Boat Race so when the goal post disappeared it was weird, it was heartbreaking.”
The Oxford Men were told over Zoom. Tobias Schröder, 5-seat remembered:
“I just recall a sinking feeling. After that we had one more in-person meeting with the whole team where Sean, our coach, gave a speech citing his highlights from the year. It was emotional.
“The cancellation however did motivate me. Whilst at home, I was training all the time and never stopped. When I turned up for the 2021 season I had a lot of fire.”
For both Costi and Sophie, not getting to race in 2020 made them more eager to return the next year. But 2021 was more difficult. Zoom coaching, coxed erg sessions and isolated training became the new normal.
Schröder remembers: “2021 and its challenges put a huge strain on the squad. It was very isolating.”
Levy added: “For the coxes, 2021 was very challenging. I’d grown up on the Tideway and that was my biggest asset.
“When the race moved to Ely, it was about re-adapting. I spent seven months out of a boat, so I had to put in more work off-water. I remember listening to so many recordings. In many ways it made me better.”
Paine, who won the 2021 Boat Race with Cambridge women said: “It was endless zoom ergs. Being coxed on an erg wasn’t fun.
“We were promised a race. So, we were holding on to that hope and doing everything we could to get to the finish line. Nothing in my rowing career has come close to winning that Boat Race.”
Alongside the rest of the 2020 Cambridge Women’s Boat, Paine competed at the Head of the Charles this November.
“It was amazing how we clicked when we got back into that 2020 boat. Our cox did shout “this is our Boat Race” as we went down the Charles so in some ways, it was closure for us.”
Five years on, time has done what it does best, healed.
Levy reflected: “Although our Boat Race experience was very different. I feel so lucky to have done it. My crewmates still inspire me to this day.
“Covid showed me the importance of strong relationships and friendships.”
Schröder said: “Now it feels less like a rowing career defining moment than it did at the time. If you want it enough, a rowing career will outlast Covid.
“I’ve gone on to enjoy the sport again and be successful with it. So, there’s no bitterness left. It is easier for me to say because I was able to go on and win in 2022. Others missed out on that; I feel most for them. We have all moved on, but we don’t forget.”