Lake Natoma Regatta

Photos courtesy of Eric Carlson

On Lake Natoma, rowing just downstream of Folsom, the women's lightweight four+ (i.e., plus coxswain) made a quick escape, providing BHS Crew's first highlight of the regatta. After having lost, then won, close races on the final sprint earlier in the season, the Jacket rowers had a new strategy this day: "Start with a win, and make it bigger." Bolting to an early lead, the women did just that, finishing half a minute ahead of their closest rival.

The women's varsity lightweight 8+ rowed well, too, going up against two open weight Marin boats. Though the results will show a third place finish, they put in a strong, successful effort.

The afternoon brought rain, and more excitement for BHS. The men's lightweight four+, having practiced longer strokes at a lower rate, finally put it together in competition, rowing to a strong first place finish, beating the Capitol lightweight men by open water.

Then, led by novice cox Nick Suess, the men's quad ("4x") put in a strong showing in the new BHS quad, powering to a first place finish. As winning rower/coxswain, Nick was treated to a dunking in the estuary upon the team's return to JLAC.

One of the closest and most heartbreaking finishes of the day was the Women's Freshman 8+. The BHS women were bow ball to bow ball with Capitol fighting for second place over the entire last 1000 meters, ultimately falling to third by a mere seat length at the finish.


Photo courtesy of Eric Carlson

Eric Carlson's SmugMug gallery...
Women's results, on row2k.com...
Men's results, on row2k.com...

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