University of Washington
Windermere Cup/Opening Day
Huskies Beat Virginia To Claim 2015 Windermere Cup
May 02, 2015 | Women's Rowing
SEATTLE – No. 4 Washington women's rowing used a strong comeback to beat No. 3 Virginia and win the 2015 Windermere Cup in front of thousands of fans along the Montlake Cut on Saturday, May 2.
“This young team just keeps growing and getting better throughout the season,” UW head coach Bob Ernst said. “With a team as young as ours, we need indicators to show these athletes that they are really good. Beating Virginia was a great indicator for us. They are one of the best teams in the country, and to beat them and win the Windermere Cup is an honor.”
After Virginia jumped out to a lead that stretched to as much as four seats in the first half of the race, the Huskies made a move around the 1000-meter mark to draw even. By the time UW made it into the Montlake Cut, rowing in front of the screaming UW home crowd, the Huskies had surged ahead and ended up winning by nearly a length in a time of 6:29.6 compared to 6:32.9 for Virginia.
“These fans and this venue make up the best atmosphere in collegiate rowing,” Ernst said. “To give them a race like this, for the Windermere Cup – it doesn't get much better.”
The Huskies did not lose any of their five races throughout the morning. In the women's Erickson Cascade Cup, the UW A boat in lane one dominated the field with a time of 6:41.3. The UW B boat in lane three finished in 6:51.1 and Western Washington came in third in 7:12.6.
UW women's crew also won the third varsity race, beating local crews from Western Washington and Seattle University in a time of 6:46.2. In the college open eight, the UW A boat in lane one took first with a time of 7:00.2.
The Huskies opened the day with a win in the varsity four. The UW A boat in lane one finished in a time of 7:12.3 to take first and UW B in lane three took second in 7:26.1.
UW women's crew will continue its season in two weeks at the Pacific Coast Championships and Pac-12 Championships on Saturday, May 16, and Sunday, May 17, both on Lake Natoma in Rancho Cordova, Calif. Updates can be found on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter at @UWHuskyCrew.
