Boat-race Schroeder: ‘We pummeled them’
Beneath the first glorious sunshine that Oxford has been blessed with so far this year, Jamie Schroeder arrives at the University’s Physiology department where we are scheduled to meet. He comes into view from the distance on his bicycle, and his commanding height is no mirage. Towering above most at six feet and eight inches, Schroeder has a looming presence that is opposed only by his calm manner.
The ‘gentle giant’ of Oxford rowing is so tall that he has to peer down to me as we share coffee in the department’s café, but his voice is reassuringly soothing. Asked to channel the emotions of taking part in the 152nd boat race into words, he tells me: “To tell you the truth, one of the only things that was going through my mind was that the party afterwards was going to be good.
?? By edging themselves over the finish-line 15 seconds ahead of favourites Cambridge, he and the rest of his crew rubbished the view held by most pundits that their rivals would cruise to a comfortable victory. “Yeh, we pummeled them! We were surprised to have sealed it up so early. We were also surprised that they weren’t quicker. And when that happens you let yourself think about other things”. In his case, it was the postrace festivities.
But over the course of this academic year, Schroeder has not allowed any let-up in his focus on the race to creep in. Faced with a gruelling preparatory regime that consisted of no fewer than 12 outings per week, Schroeder gave the impression that balancing his academic commitments alongside those on the river wasnot as difficult as is normally made out to be: “Work was always the most important thing. You don’t think about the next training session when you’re at your desk.
The whole time I’ve been completely focused to my doctorate dissertation and project writing. You don’t think about rowing until you show up for training.” Nevertheless, he was quick to admit that the foundation work for the Boat Race does not go easy on those who aren’t at the zenith of their fitness: “The ideal Oxford rower arrives in top shape. He doesn’t rest and, most importantly, needs to peak in April. “Everyone was pushing to be a part of the success.
We all wanted to be in best shape, were willing to go further and try even harder.” Being from the USA, one subject that I could not resist quizzing him on was the debate concerning foreign athletes at Oxbridge. Reclining back in his chair to consider this and almost tickling the ceiling in the process, it was a relief to hear somone hold an optimistic view on this. “People think that it excludes British nationals and is a detriment to British rowing altogether.
But having foreign nationals in the team increases the calibre of the English team, from a competition point of view. For the universities, this is a net positive if they want to be international institutions.” With the Boat Race ticked off this year’s schedule, Schroeder’s next target is the Ransted interational rowing competition in Amsterdam this weekend. Having competed on the international stage for much of his rowing career, this is what comes easy to Schroeder.
20th Apr 2006