Princeton University Athletics
Tiger Crews Survive Weather, Perform Impressively At Princeton Chase
November 01, 2011 | Heavyweight Rowing, Women's Rowing - Open, Men's Rowing - Lightweight
First, there was the hurricane that flooded part of the Shea Rowing Center. Then a nor'easter threatens the 2011 Princeton Chase. In both cases, the Princeton crew and the local rowing community chipped in to overcome mother nature; in the latter, that helped set up a successful day of rowing at the annual three-mile race on Lake Carnegie.
Sunday marked the final day of the fall racing schedule for Princeton, which also competed a week earlier at the Head of the Charles. The Tigers had several strong showings, including a win from the heavyweight eight and top-two finishes for both the men's lightweight eight and the women's open eight.
The heavyweight eight opened the day on a successful note for the Tigers by winning its competition in a net time of 13:09.23. Unlike the typical 2000-meter races of the spring rowing season, the Chase is competed over three miles on Lake Carnegie. Cornell was closest to Princeton, finishing in 13:16.79. The Princeton B crew finished seventh overall and topped several 'A' boats in a time of 13:39.40.
The lightweight eight followed, and as it has been several times over the last few seasons, Princeton and Harvard were the two battling for first. Harvard took first in a time of 13:15.44, while Princeton finished second in 13:22.31.
The reigning NCAA champion Princeton women's 8+ also placed second in a time of 14:43.62, nearly 10 seconds faster than any crew in the Ivy League. Virginia, which has been a top-ranked crew along with Princeton in recent years, won the race in 14:35.17.
The women's varsity four was the only crew to break the 17-minute mark in its victory. Princeton won in 16:52.65, nearly 20 seconds faster than Cornell. Princeton had three of the top five finishers in the race.
The women's novice eight placed third in 16:42.02, while the men's freshman eight won its race in 13:39.59. The second-place boat in the same race was the lightweight freshman eight, which finished in 13:48.94, less than a second faster than the Navy heavies. The men's lightweight 4 placed second in 15:01.03.
There were also several small boat competitions, including wins for Princeton in the men's 2x, the men's 2- and the men's 1x.
All times and results can be found here.