Racing at the 2023 San Diego Crew Classic got underway today with the first-ever Friday racing in the 50 year history of the event; the racing, which went from 2 - 5 pm, featured 15 Masters races in eights and quads from 2 - 5pm.
The extra day of racing allowed for the addition of two new events, according to Crew Classic Executive Director Bobbie Smith.
"The extra day let us add the Masters Novice Mixed Eight and also to host a Masters 4x, which turned out to be one of our most popular races this year, for the first time ever," Smith said.
Many longtime regatta-goers were looking forward to the Friday racing.
"I have been racing the Crew Classic since the 1980s and I keep coming back!" Lesleh Wright said on Friday before racing began for her Endeavor Racing Alliance Masters D crew. "I am a coxswain and while sliding into home is what it feels like to steer this course - every year we make the pilgrimage to do it 'baby one more time!' Excited for the battles on the bay starting today."
It does sound like Friday afternoon was lively on Mission Bay, including at the starting line, which passes nearly under the Sea World gondola ride. The ride has a repeating PA announcement along the lines of 'For the safety of yourself and others, please remain seated for the duration of the ride." It played during the silence in the moments before the start of the men's alumni eight, raising laughs among the otherwise race-ready crews.
At 403 entries from 101 clubs, the regatta is at right about pre-Covid numbers; in 2019, there were 403 entries from 106 clubs.
And of course there was the traditional beach launch drenching - bravo to the first to go under, the rowing world salutes you!
As the weekend progresses, here is how to follow along with the racing:
row2k will also be posting multiple galleries daily.
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