March 31, 2007
CAMDEN, N.J. -- The Navy women's rowing team posted a victory over Boston University and George Washington in the varsity race to win the program's first Playfair Cup title in the eight years of the event, Saturday morning on the Cooper River in Camden, N.J. The victory was one of four recorded on the day by the Navy boats.
"It was a remarkable day by our entire team," said Navy head coach Mike Hughes. "We're very excited about the results and times posted by all of our boats, especially the varsity crew. Boston University was ranked for much of last season and has received votes for each national poll this year, so we came out ahead against a quality opponent."
The varsity race was very close for the first half of the course, with the Navy and Boston University boats virtually even for 1000 meters. The Mids slowly gained an advantage over the next 500 meters until Navy held a one-half of a boat length lead, then finished the race strong and won the race by some open water over the Terriers.
The Mids completed the course in a winning time of 7:15.14, with Boston University finishing second in a time of 7:20.67. George Washington followed in third place 13 seconds later.
The Playfair Cup was donated in the name of Virginia Playfair by her family who hold ties to each of the three institutions involved in the race.
In addition to winning the varsity race, Navy boats also placed first and second in the varsity four race and first by a combined 41 seconds in the two novice races on the day.
Navy's lone setback of the regatta came in the second varsity race, a contest the Terriers won by 4.2 seconds.
The Mids will next compete in the George Washington Invitational April 6-7 on the Potomac River in Washington, D.C.
First Varsity (Playfair Cup race)
Navy, 7:15.14; Boston Univ., 7:20.67; George Washington, 7:35.73
Second Varsity
Boston Univ., 7:38.07; Navy, 7:42.28
Varsity Four
Navy 'A', 8:28.7; Navy 'B', 8:35.92; Boston Univ. 'A', 8:39.59; Boston Univ. 'B', 8:41.43; George Washington, 8:52.45
First Novice
Navy, 7:57.1; Boston Univ., 8:19.9; George Washington, 8:27.5
Second Novice
Navy, 8:26.66; Boston Univ., 8:45.1
