Student who dressed up as Ku Klux Klan man will row in Boat Race
A STUDENT banned from social events at Oxford after dressing up as a Ku Klux Klan member has been chosen to row in tomorrow’s Boat Race.
Benedict Aldous had to apologise after he attended a college party with a white pillowcase on his head with two eyeholes and a sign reading ‘Middle America’ across his chest.
But he has now been elevated from Oxford’s reserve crew to the main boat for the traditional race against Cambridge, which is watched by six million in the UK. He replaces veteran rower Josh Bugajski, who is rumoured to have
‘Inappropriate and offensive’
argued with Oxford team’s coach Sean Bowden.
Mr Aldous said Mr Bugajski, widely recognised as one of the most powerful rowers in the university competition, had been dropped as he had not recovered fully from a recent bout of gastroenteritis. The change is surprising as he was Oxford’s heaviest rower in a crew which is already significantly lighter than their Cambridge rivals. He will not even row for Oxford’s reserve boat.
However yesterday a family member insisted Mr Bugajski was fully fit – and training with Team GB, the national crew.
Mr Aldous, 20, was banned from social events at Christ Church College over the costume he wore to the ‘bop’ in December 2016.
The Old Etonian son of a banker later apologised for the ‘inappropriate and offensive’ choice, which he said was supposed to be satirical. A source said at the time that he thought it would be ‘really funny’ but ‘totally misjudged the mood’.
Yesterday fellow students were angry at the news he would be taking part in the historic university boat race, one of the world’s most-watched rowing events.
One student said: ‘It’s disgraceful they’re letting him represent the university in such a public way.’ Another said: ‘There are things more important than winning a boat race.’
The surprising late change, just days before the race, could dent Oxford’s chances of repeating last year’s success, when they beat Cambridge in the 4.2 mile course along the Thames.
Cambridge are now odds- on favourites to win the 164th race.
Mr Bugajski’s relative said she knew the circumstances behind the decision to drop him from Oxford’s team but added: ‘I’d prefer not to say anything. He’s not done anything wrong.
‘Sean Bowden’s made that decision and I think it was a very strange decision.’
She said Mr Bugajski was ‘absolutely fine’ and apart from ‘sickness and vomiting’ which had forced him to miss training for two days last week he was fully fit.
‘He’s training with GB at the moment,’ she said. ‘I think people will draw their own conclusions.’
Yesterday, when questioned about whether there had been a disagreement with Mr Bugajski, coach Mr Bowden said: ‘I’ve never been through a boat race season without a disagreement.
‘A healthy discussion is essential to bring a team together. Sometimes it can be more prolonged and disruptive than you’d like it to be.
‘ I think it would be fair to say Josh, being a more experienced guy, quite a strong character ... we would have had certain times where we found ourselves in disagreement.’
Mr Bugajski, now studying for a doctorate in oncology, took up the sport for the first time at Cardiff University.
Oxford University Boat Club confirmed in a statement this week that Mr Aldous would be in the main boat for the race.
A Boat Race spokesman said: ‘Benedict made a mistake. He has apologised and the incident was dealt with appropriately.’