WEST WINDSOR, N.J. – The Stanford lightweight eight won its fourth consecutive Intercollegiate Rowing Association national championship during a weather-shortened championship regatta Sunday morning on Lake Mercer.
The lightweight four and lightweight double Grand Finals were officially canceled due to deteriorating weather conditions on the water. The IRA did not award a team champion this year as a result of the canceled races. Both the four and the double Grand Finals were competed unofficially at nearby Carnagie Lake Sunday afternoon. The Cardinal unofficially won the lightweight four Grand Final and placed fourth in the lightweight double Grand Final.
The Cardinal eight captured its eighth Camden County Board of Chosen Freeholders Trophy in the last nine years, winning the crown both years under head coach Kate Bertko. Stanford is the all-time leader in IRA lightweight eight championships with eight. Wisconsin is second with five.
?? #GoStanford pic.twitter.com/6gIovSqXdZ
— Stanford Lights (@StanfordLwtCrew) June 3, 2018
"I am extremely proud of our team," Bertko said. "They have worked so hard all season and had an amazing fight today. It was great to see the eight work hard the entire race and celebrate at the finish. I am equally proud of the way our team and all the other crews came together to race the four and the double at Carnagie Lake. I am happy for our seniors to finish their careers with another trophy. Their accomplishments are truly remarkable and they will be deeply missed."
Facing a strong headwind during the day's second race, the eight looked strong from the start in its Grand Final. The Cardinal battled with Boston, Princeton and Georgetown in the first 500. Stanford and BU separated themselves from the rest of the field from there. The Cardinal held a slight advantage over Boston at 750 meters and stretched its advantage to five seats by the midpoint of the course. Stanford took a length lead on the field with 750 to go and remained in control through the finish with a time of 7:12.373, five seconds ahead of second-place Boston (7:17.616). The Cardinal crew crossed the finish and raised their arms in celebration of Stanford's fourth consecutive trophy.
The Cardinal eight wins it by open water! ?? #GoStanford pic.twitter.com/965qMtIJRe
— Stanford Lights (@StanfordLwtCrew) June 3, 2018
The Grand Finals in the four and the double were scheduled for 9:15 a.m. ET and 9:36 a.m. ET, but around 9 a.m. ET conditions on the course significantly deteriorated and IRA officials suspended competition. An hour later, IRA officials canceled the remaining races. All crews worked together to travel to nearby Carnagie Lake to complete the races.
The four, which won its heat race by open water on Saturday morning, captured Sunday's unofficial race at Carnagie Lake by open water as well. Stanford completed the course with a time of 7:26.06. Wisconsin was second with a time of 7:41.40, while Boston took third with a time of 7:45.74.
The double, which placed third in its heat race and second in its repechage on Saturday, finished fourth in Sunday's unofficial race with a time of 8:11.27. Princeton won the race with a time of 7:52.14, while Tulsa (7:52.55) captured second and Wisconsin (8:07.41) finished third.