Identical twins Gemma and Catherine King were originally set to face off against each other in Saturday’s University Boat Race in Manchester, England. However, Catherine’s back injury has forced her to sit out of the elite women’s race where she would have been racing against Gemma in the Cambridge crew. Instead, Catherine will be representing her new university in the reserve race, creating a weekend of divided loyalties for their family.
The situation presents a challenge for their parents, Liz and Mike, who have always known who to support in the past. Catherine joked during a call with Reuters that her parents have had to adjust, as they have traditionally been Cambridge supporters but now have to show their allegiance to her new university, Oxford. To accommodate both daughters, they now have half Oxford and half Cambridge hats and scarves to wear on race day to support both twins.
Gemma and Catherine, both 24 years old from Bagshot, Surrey, were introduced to rowing at the age of 12 after participating in various sports as children. They both attended Cambridge University where they competed in the same boat, fostering a competitive spirit between them. Gemma, who is pursuing a PhD in stem cell biology at Cambridge, mentioned how their genetic similarity makes it easy to compare themselves and push each other to excel in their endeavors.
Catherine relocated to Oxford last year, marking the first time the twins have lived apart. Despite the distance, they maintain a close relationship through frequent messages. Catherine, who is studying cardiovascular research at Cambridge, expressed confidence in their enduring bond despite the physical separation.
The historic Boat Race tradition dates back to 1829 for men and 1927 for women, with both races being held on the same day since 2015. Gemma emphasized the significance of participating in the iconic event, highlighting the fierce rivalry and tradition associated with the race. While winning is the ultimate goal, she acknowledged that the essence of the Boat Race extends beyond mere victory or defeat, emphasizing the importance of their crews putting forth their best effort.
Overall, the twins are focused on delivering their best performance and making the most of the experience. Gemma and Catherine both share a desire to succeed in the Boat Race while recognizing the value of the event beyond the outcome. Their competitive nature and shared passion for rowing have driven them to push each other to excel, even as they now find themselves on opposite sides of the competition.
As they prepare to participate in the prestigious event, Gemma and Catherine remain committed to supporting each other and maintaining their strong bond. Despite the challenges presented by their separation and the competitive nature of the Boat Race, the twins continue to draw strength from their shared experiences and unwavering support for one another.
Disclaimer: This article was reported by Lori Ewing and edited by Ed Osmond.
