On the morning of the event, a decision was made by the San Diego Crew Classic chief umpire to cancel lacing for the day.
The ref was heard to say "I can't get these damn boats straight just forget the whole thing. Lacing is officially cancelled."
Two crews began gleefully to unrig their borrowed shells, chanting "we don't have to row this log, no rowing in the log!" until the referee corrected them: "I didn't say "boats," I said "boots," and didn't say "racing," I said "lacing" - my bootlaces are broken. You might want to put those riggers back on."
"Darn, I just thought the guy was slurring his words from getting a load on with the other refs last night," said one rower. "We saw them on the town; those geezers can party."