GOLD RIVER, Calif. – Top-ranked Stanford lightweight rowing won all three of its races by open water Saturday to advance to Sunday's Grand Final in the eight, four and double at the Intercollegiate Rowing Association Championships at Lake Natoma.
The lightweight eight, four and double each pulled away from the field in its race Saturday and will compete for a national championship Sunday. The Grand Final in the double is set for 8:00 a.m. PT, with the Grand Final in the four slated for 8:50 a.m. PT and the Grand Final in the eight scheduled for 11:40 a.m. PT.
Fans can follow Sunday's Grand Final races online with the USRowing Live Stream here.
The lightweight eight was up first on Saturday, racing in the first of two heats. Stanford took a length lead on the field in the first 700 meter and never looked back, en route to the win. The Cardinal completed the course in 6:30.800, ahead of second-place Princeton (6:35.597) and third-place Wisconsin (6:38.568). Stanford will race for an IRA title Sunday against Princeton, Wisconsin, Boston, Georgetown and Harvard-Radcliffe.
The eight wins its @IRARowingChamps heat by open water to advance to Sunday's Grand Final. #GoStanford. pic.twitter.com/GqmrZ6FovV
— Stanford Lights (@StanfordLwtCrew) June 3, 2017
Stanford, Boston, Wisconsin and MIT separated from the remainder of the field early in the lightweight four race. The Cardinal began to surge into the lead at 500 meters and held an open water advantage by the midpoint of the course. Stanford (7:13.484) answered a late challenge by Wisconsin (7:18.149) to cross the finish line by open water ahead of the field. The Cardinal will race in the same field in Sunday's Grand Final, facing Princeton, Wisconsin, Boston, MIT, Harvard-Radcliffe and Tulsa with an IRA title on the line.
Cardinal four wins by open water. #GoStanford pic.twitter.com/ltyLd5W9Rv
— Stanford Lights (@StanfordLwtCrew) June 3, 2017
The Cardinal double battled Wisconsin early in its race, before taking the lead by 750 meters. Stanford continued to extend its lead with an open-water advantage by the midpoint of the course. Stanford crossed the finish line in 7:35.032, ahead of second-place Wisconsin (7:43.103). The six-boat field – Stanford, Wisconsin, Boston, Princeton, Harvard-Radcliffe and MIT – will race again Sunday for the IRA title.
The double wins by open water. #GoStanford pic.twitter.com/DLOUz1RO8H
— Stanford Lights (@StanfordLwtCrew) June 3, 2017
Stanford, under the direction of first-year head coach Kate Bertko, is seeking its third consecutive IRA team title on Sunday.
IRA Championships Results
| Place | Lightweight Eight Heat | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Stanford | 6:30.800 |
| 2. | Princeton | 6:35.597 |
| 3. | Wisconsin | 6:38.568 |
| 4. | Georgetown | 6:55.378 |
| Place | Lightweight Four Heat | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Stanford | 7:13.484 |
| 2. | Wisconsin | 7:18.149 |
| 3. | Boston | 7:22.193 |
| 4. | MIT | 7:26.420 |
| 5. | Princeton | 7:29.484 |
| 6. | Harvard-Radcliffe | 7:37.214 |
| 7. | Tulsa | 7:42.006 |
| Place | Lightweight Double Heat | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Stanford | 7:35.032 |
| 2. | Wisconsin | 7:43.103 |
| 3. | Boston | 7:45.173 |
| 4. | Princeton | 7:48.965 |
| 5. | Harvard-Radcliffe | 7:55.340 |
| 6. | MIT | 8:33.924 |