MIT-UPenn Race 2008

MIT and Pen started a new dual race this weekend in Philadelphia. The varsity lightweights came into the race after a tightly fought race against Columbia and Cornell. The Freshman raced first and stayed within a length of Penn until the last 500 meter where Penn opened up a slightly larger margin. The MIT varsity had a quick start and had a length after the turn. Penn increased its rate to 38 in the last 500 meter to move ahead but could not close the gap with MIT scoring its first win agaist a Sprints school in many years.

The UPenn boathouse the morning of the race. It was an overcast day with a slight tailwind.
The MIT freshman lightweights launching. Penn had launched earlier.
The Phillly skyline obscured by low clouds in the background.
Toes to the edge.
Ted getting prepared for launching his guys.
The MIT freshman launch.
Ted Benford speaking with the MIT Varsity LIghts.
Mike Irwin gathers his Penn lightweight varsity for a pre-race talk.
MIT Frosh take practice starts.
The Starter giving a countdown start....5..4..3..2..1..are you ready...row.
The frist 20 strokes of the race. The start is staggered on the schuylkill with the MIT crew starting about 4 seats ahead.
The frist 20 strokes.
The frist 20 strokes.
The frist 20 strokes.
The frist 20 strokes.
MIT freshman lightweights after the settle.
Approaching the Straberry Mansion bridge. Penn has certainly moved quickly off the start but the boats were still in contact.
Going under Strawberry mansion bridge at the 700 m mark.
Going under Strawberry mansion bridge at the 700 m mark.
After the turn, Penn tries to move decisively and and opens up a little more on MIT, but the going was still close.
MIT frosh lights at the 1000m mark
MIT frosh lights at the 1000m mark
Penn at the 1000 meter mark.
Penn had moved to almost a length lead by the time.
Going into the last 500 meters with MIT in the foreground and Penn in the background about a length up.
Penn opens up going into the last 40 strokes by the island.
Last 20 strokes.
Last 20 strokes.
Last 20 strokes.
The MIT coaches before the varsity race.
MIT varsity at the start
MIT again had the outside of the turn and started ahead. After the settle, they might have been a stroke higher(36) than Penn(35)
Still the first 500 meters.
Heading towards Strawberry Mansion, MIT had was moving decisively in the first 700 meters
MIT varsity lights.
Penn varsity lights.
MIT under the strawberry manion bridge.
Coming out of the turn.
Coming out of the turn.
at the 1000 meter mark.
From my angle I though at the 1000, MIT had a slight bit of open water. This is where Penn started to move.
Penn ligthweights upped the rate to 38 in the last 500 meters. They started to overstroke MIT and began closing the gap.
Moving into the last 500 meters.
Penn going past the island trying to erase the margin before the finish line came up.
MIT was sensing a victory. They stayed composed, and their form was impressive.
Coming into the last 20 strokes, the two boats were within 1/3 length and veering towards each other.
Coming up to the finish.