Coming off two highly successful regular seasons, the #1 ranked University of Washington men and the #1 ranked University of California - Berkeley women both arrive at Lake Natoma in search of a Pac-10 Championship. Based on the racing thus far this year, both teams would seem to hold a clear advantage in the Varsity race, with the Husky men looking at a possible sweep of the men's events. Washington's women's squad has brought a dominate Second Varsity and Four and is the favorite to win the team title. All of the women's events have a morning heat and afternoon final, while the men's side is straight finals only across the board. The forecast for Sunday afternoon is for triple digit temperatures - row2k might be seen around the 1900 meter mark, lounging in about three feet of water, for reasons of health and safety of course, but nonetheless covering every minute of the regatta.
Women's Varsity 8 - The #1 ranked Cal Bears have raced through the regular season unbeaten, and hold victories over ranked crews Virginia, Stanford, Ohio State, Washington, and Notre Dame. However, the Bears have yet to face #4 ranked Washington State, or the defending the Pac-10 champions #12 USC. Expect a tight field on Sunday with the addition of #10 Stanford who was only four seconds off the Bears on May 3, and Washington and Oregon State who were both within a length of the Cougars earlier this spring. The Huskies showed the speed to compete for a medal position during their Jessop-Whittier Cup win at the Crew Classic, albeit several weeks back.. The final placing in the Varsity event is critical for all teams as the regatta serves as the west coast regional for NCAA selection on May 20.
Men's Varsity 8 - Continuing its march toward a second consecutive undefeated season, the Husky eight has been virtually unchallenged this year starting with their victory in the loaded Copley Cup race at the San Diego Crew Classic. If the Huskies can sustain the trend through the weekend, the race for second should be a one of the best races of the day between Cal and Stanford after Stanford took the Big Row by 0.8 seconds on May 3. Cal is trying to turn around an uncharacteristically slow year, having not won a Varsity 8 race during the entire regular season. Stanford rebounded well after finishing on the short end of a close finish for 3rd in San Diego and ended up sixth. Having not raced for the past month, Oregon State is somewhat of an unknown, and will be looking to pick off any crew that doesn't bring their A game. The rest of the 7-boat final is rounded out by UCLA, Washington State, and USC.
Women's Second Varsity 8 - Undefeated through six races, Washington comes in as the clear favorite, and is looking to end the Cal Bears five year winning streak in the event. The Bears aren't looking to go quietly and are hoping to reverse a three second dual lost to the Huskies on April 26. Washington's biggest challenge so far this year came from #2 seed Oregon State, when the Huskies beat the Beavers by less than two seconds April 19. #4 seed USC and #5 seed Washington State both have strong crews and will be pushing hard to reach the podium Sunday.
Men's Second Varsity 8 - Cal and Washington have split the two times they have raced so far, with Washington knocking off the Bears by 2.5 seconds in San Diego; subsequently Cal reversed the outcome in their dual on April 26 to win by a length. Sunday's rubber match between the two crews should be a good indicator of both crews' chances at the IRA. The only other two entries in this event are Oregon State and UCLA, with the Beavers looking to have the edge for bronze.
Women's Varsity 4 - The Washington four is also undefeated this season and is the defending champion in the event. They have raced Cal, Washington State, and Oregon State and have yet to be tested, winning each race by at least 10 seconds. The race for silver and bronze should be hotly contested between #2 seed California, #3 Oregon State, #4 USC, and #5 Washington State.
Men's Varsity 4 - The Varsity 4 event could be anyone's race. Most crews involved have yet to race each other so predictions don't mean much. California earned the top seed, followed by Washington, Stanford, Oregon, and USC. Stanford could be the dark horse in the race since they don't have a 2V entered.
Women's Freshmen 8 - California is the #1 seed in the event by virtue of their boat length victory over #2 seed Washington in their dual on April 26. The race for the bronze should be a solid race between #3 Washington State, #4 Oregon State, and #5 Gonzaga.
Men's Freshmen 8 - Washington enters the weekend undefeated and the clear favorite with two victories over California. The Bears closed the gap to two seconds in the dual and are looking to challenge the Huskies for the Pac 10 crown. Both crews should have open water on the battle for third between Stanford and Oregon State with the Cardinal holding two early season victories over the Beavers. UCLA and Washington State fill out the final.
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