“I’m sure that it has helped them in some ways, but I’m also sure that if they had split up they would both be doing just fine,” O’Connor said. “They have made a big impact on our team. Their athleticism has really enabled them to adapt the boat handling to the collegiate style.”

If there is one downside to the presence of the Drumm twins on the sailing team, it might just be the confusion created when people try to tell them apart. Their different-colored lifejackets and Brian’s timepiece have helped to distinguish the two, but there are still mix-ups.

“Now they’re starting to get the hang of it,” Michael said. “But not really.”

“We tried pretty hard early on to find clues to tell them apart and have had pretty good success with it,” O’Connor added. “There are still times where my system doesn’t work, but rarely does that happen on the water.”

The most important similarity between the twins is their mutual satisfaction in deciding to sail for the squad on this end of the Charles.

“I love it,” Michael said. “I definitely think I made the right choice. It’s pretty awesome here.”