Boat Race role reversal as coxes keep the other gender in line

MEN will cox women and vice versa at the Boat Race tomorrow for the first time in 40 years.

This year, both of Cambridge’s coxes are men, while it is only women who will steer Oxford’s boats in the first gender role reversal at the race since 1982.

Cambridge’s women were trepidatious at the appointment of James Trotman, but the economics undergraduate appears to have proven them wrong. “I admit I was sceptical at first,” says Rosa Millard, who will row in the Cambridge two seat.

“Largely because he learnt his rowing at an all boys’ school and had never coxed women before. But I’ve been pleasantly surprised. He gets us.”

Trotman, a first year at Sidney Sussex College, emphasised the mental strength needed to compete in the race, which last year Cambridge women won.

“The cox has to be the brains of the boat. It’s not just about steering. You’re a key tactician, cheerleader, motivator,” he says. “You have to multitask. Which, as you know, is hard for us blokes.

“Fortunately they have never accused me of mansplaining,” he adds.

Anna O’hanlon, the Oxford men’s cox, who is doing a masters in clinical embryology at Somerville College, is said to have a single-minded approach to steering the crew.

“I think without doubt there is a difference between men and women rowers,” she says. “I mean no two crews are the same, they all want different things from their cox. But you can generalise to say the rhythm in a women’s boat will be quite different from a men’s. And you have to adapt accordingly. I love coxing both of them.”

In the boat, the cox steers the course, reading the currents to ensure the best direction. They also, via a loudspeaker, loudly issue instructions to their crew. Out of it, they work alongside the coach in training, chivvying, motivating and leading the visualisation sessions.