The 26th annual rowing of the Head of the Des Moines regatta ran as smoothly as the water on September 26. About 34 clubs from nine states around the Midwest came to compete for trophies and custom-designed medals. In response to the 2009 regatta theme "Oar You Ready?," the rowers and coxes proved they were.
Despite early morning showers, the day was bone-dry from the C&C (coaches and coxswains) meeting until the last race. The 2.8-mile course offers a challenging course due to its three bridges and three turns, but the course was fast that day and records fell like quick catches. The lack of current, no wind, calm water, and cool temperatures definitely helped the athletes hit an early season peak.
The trophy for the fastest time of day went to the University of Minnesota Men's 8, with a time of 15:23. The Gophers also took home trophies for the fastest men's novice 8 (17:16), and the Collegiate Cup for the college team amassing the most racing points during the day. The Minneapolis Rowing Club men's master four won the Sue Voegtlin Master award for the fastest master sweep crew of the day (16:02), winning the men's open four.
On the women's side, the 8 University of Iowa women won the Swan Cup for the women's collegiate 8 (16:03) and the women's open 4 trophy (18:21). Kansas State's women's novice 8 took home the women's novice trophy (18:56).
Not to be left out, two scullers walked away with the fastest single trophies, which are based on raw time. P. Johnson of the University St. Thomas won the David Lynch Men's Sculling Award with a men's club single time of 18:06. Julia Martinusen of the Des Moines Rowing Club won the Julia Martinusen Women's Sculling award with the home-river advantage in the grand master event with a time of 21:23.
At the end of the day, when all the points were tabulated, the Minneapolis Rowing Club was the clear winner for the Total Points Cup again this year. The regatta committee sent out thanks to all competitors, coaches, officials, volunteers, and sponsors for another successful year.
See the complete results here.
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