Regatta advance setup teams in Allentown PA have discovered evidence that a thus-far unnamed boatmaker will unveil a bow-loaded eight at the Iona, Franklin & Marshall @ Lehigh race in Allentown this weekend. Documentation found with the unlabeled new craft claims that the shell has been completely re-designed from the keel up, and will be 2-3 seconds faster over 2000 meters than a standard stern-coxed eight due to moving the weight of the coxswain lower in the hull.
Newly minted Cal coach Mike Teti was contacted with the information last night, and said he wanted the boat in San Diego by Sunday morning. "If the boat goes well on Saturday, we'll get it out here," he said. "I called Brad Woodrick yesterday, and he can get a boat across country in three-four hours max - about the same time I could get to Boathouse Row from my row house in Upper Darby on a Monday morning. We'll have it rigged before the guys get to the course, no problem."
Lehigh coach Phil Bresnahan was on board with the plan. "It will be no problem," he said. "We've done tougher hot-seating than that here, believe me."
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04/01/2009 10:48:20 AM
04/01/2009 10:23:41 AM
I have coached a high school team that owned not one, but 2 bow loaded 8+'s - both were old Empachers. One was a beautiful wood boat, and is still owned by another local high school - raced regularly all spring. No foolin'.
04/01/2009 8:19:55 AM
04/01/2009 10:47:41 AM
That aside, I actually raced internationally in a bowloader eight, believe it or not. The coxswain was so awful that it didn't matter - we unplugged him before the start anyhow.
04/01/2009 10:30:35 AM