May 3, 2008

The varsity boats from the Navy women's and men's heavyweight rowing teams took part in the Windermere Cup/Opening Day Regatta Saturday on Montlake Cup in Seattle, Wash. Navy's women's entry placed second in a field of three boats while Navy's men's crew placed third in its contest.

Navy's women's boat posted a time of 6:50.17 over the 2,000-meter course to finish 15 seconds in back of regatta-host Washington. The Huskies won the race with a time of 6:35.17, while Melbourne (Australia) University finished in third place with a clocking of 6:52.38.

"We wanted to go out all over the first 500 meters, make a move in the middle of the race and then have enough left for a strong sprint," said Navy women's head coach Mike Hughes. "We were able to have a two-seat lead over the Australian crew at 500 meters, and Washington, who in my opinion is one of the top-six boats in the country, had not separated themselves from us at that point. They soon did, but we managed to maintain our lead over the Australian boat.

"We started our sprint early and took the lead out to about three-quarters of a boat length before they came back on us, but we still beat the Australian boat by about one-half of a boat length.

"Strategically, it was a magnificent race by us."

Washington made it a sweep of the varsity eight races Saturday as its men's boat completed the course in a time of 5:49.31 to win its contest by 13 seconds. Finishing in second place was the Polish Under-23 National Team with a time of 5:56.48, while Navy placed third with a time of 6:00.59.

"Washington jumped out right away and took a lead over both us and the Polish team after 250 meters," said Navy head coach Rick Clothier. "The race between the two of Navy and the Polish boat was a good race for a long time. Poland took a little lead and the margin jockeyed back-and-forth over most of the course with us not be able to completely close and them unable to pull away. With about a minute to go they took it out to a boat length lead. We came back on them but they finished ahead of us with a few feet of open water."

Both of the Navy varsity crews will continue their respective seasons May 18 when they compete at the Eastern Sprints Championship.

"I am optimistic about what we will be able to accomplish at the Eastern Sprints," said Clothier.

Women's Varsity Eight Results
Washington, 6:35.17; Navy, 6:50.17; Melbourne (Australia) University, 6:52.38

Men's Varsity Eight Results
Washington, 5:49.31; Polish National Team, 5:56.48; Navy, 6:00.59