Rob Baker

Entering my twentieth Boat Race campaign, it is hard to imagine where the time has gone. This season has been enjoyable, and the athlete group have responded to what has been asked as well as any I have seen. We started the campaign with a race in Shanghai and that was a great catalyst to kick start the team culture and come together quickly.

The Fours Head being cancelled was a real shame for everyone who had entered. Nevertheless, it served as a landmark and the process of pushing our crews to get there and reach new heights was a huge part of the campaign. We encourage all our rowers to push themselves forward, and to try and make the best possible crew. At this point in the campaign, fours selection plays a small part of Boat Race selection, and the process is a precursor for things to come.

In December we had Trials Eights, our big focus ahead of the Christmas break, and it was a good race; perhaps not as close as I would have liked but still informative. Trial Eights races that go all the way are great, but at the same time it is reassuring to see a crew take the initiative, take the race by the scruff of the neck and capitalise on whatever advantages they have in order to get out in front and then defend their lead.

During Trial Eights we encountered terrible weather, forcing us to readjust our plans, but all of this is useful when preparing for the Boat Race. In my 20 years I have seen a crew fully swamped, major clashes, World War 2 bombs in the river and many other curveballs you would rather not have to encounter. All this Boat Race drama seems inevitable, it comes with the territory and makes the event unique, so it is something we must deal with. Resilience is probably the key component in-built into all winning Boat Race crews.

I am grateful for the excellent fixture opponents we have raced. Our first race was against the Dutch national team; this competitive meet has become a set process for both sides, and it’s a great test to launch into our racing season. Credit also to Leander and Oxford Brookes who sent strong crews for us to race, and these match-ups help develop the sharpness, race savvy, and togetherness needed come Boat Race day.

This year’s group has been excellent at attacking some changes to our focus and embracing a very competitive culture. We have tried to retain what’s worked well over the last few years and innovate other areas to push the performance levels on; I believe we have done this very well. We have kept selection open for much longer than in previous years. Whilst this brings additional stress, the athletes know what I want to see and pushing each other is delivering a higher performance level for the club.

As I write this, we have some weeks left. But I am confident we have the foundations for excellent crews, and we will leave no stone unturned in finding as much speed as possible. As always, we have little information on how fast Oxford are, so we do all we can, and I am confident we will put out a formidable race.