April 20, 2007
Stanford, Calif. - Stanford will host California in the annual Big Row at the Redwood Shores Lagoon this Saturday, April 21. The varsity women's eight kicks off the featured events at 9 am, PT, with the varsity men's eight to follow at 9:15 am, PT. The women's lightweight eight boats will race at 10:30 am, PT.
The Stanford men dropped two spots to No. 4 after falling to top-ranked Washington at the Windermere Real Estate Rowing Classic last Sunday, April 15. The Golden Bears have moved up to second to replace the Cardinal directly behind the Huskies. Stanford has not defeated California in a dual race since 1991 but has finished ahead of the Golden Bears three times since 2005 in the San Diego Crew Classic, including in the San Diego finals in each of the past two seasons to win the event.
"The Stanford-Cal dual is gaining traction as a major rowing event," said director of rowing and head men's coach Craig Amerkhanian. "Last season, Stanford was ranked second and California fourth in the nation at the time of the dual, and this season they are reversed. Stanford handed California a loss three weeks ago in San Diego, which livens up this race. We have tremendous respect for the student-athletes of California and the countries they represent. The international component that the Golden Bear men's team brings makes the race even more exciting."
The Stanford women are currently ranked No. 17 in the country, while defending national champion California is No. 13. Both teams struggled last weekend at the Windermere Real Estate Rowing Classic by losing two of three races each. California just squeaked by Stanford by one second the last time the boats raced at the San Diego Crew Classic with the Golden Bears finishing second and the Cardinal taking third. California has also won each of the last three Big Rows with the last Cardinal win in 2003.
"It's really a great rivalry," said Stanford women's rowing head coach Yasmin Farooq. "I think both teams learned a lot at Windermere last weekend, and we're glad to have the chance to face off again before Pac-10's."
The third-ranked Stanford lightweights handily defeated the Golden Bear lightweights by 29 seconds the last time the teams raced at the Sacramento Invitational on March 10.
"The race against Cal's heavyweight 3V is a great opportunity for both crews to work on various elements of the race plan," said Stanford head lightweight rowing coach Al Acosta. "Obviously, we're both trying to win. But for us this race is more about preparing for our race in Indianapolis next week. For our race versus the Cal lightweights ,we want to continue to improve on our first quarter, establish momentum, and go from there. Two races in such a short time will be a challenge, but we need this kind of work at this point in our season."
2007 BIG ROW SCHEDULE
9:00 am - Women's Varsity 8
9:15 am - Men's Varsity 8
9:30 am - Women's3 Varsity 8 (California) vs. Women's Lightweight Varsity 8 (Stanford)
9:40 am - Women's2 Varsity 8
9:50 am - Men's2 Varsity 8
10:00 am - Women's Varsity 4
10:10 am - Men's Frosh 8
10:20 am - Men's3 Varsity 8 (California) vs. Men's Varsity 8 (UC Davis)
10:30 am - Men's2 Frosh 8 (California) vs. Men's Frosh 8 (UC Davis)
10:40 am - Women's Varsity Lightweight 4
10:50 am - Women's2 Varsity Lightweight 4
11:00 am - Women's Novice 8