First Fall Head Race Results

The Huskies are just back from a trip to the Housatonic River in Shelton, Connecticut, also known as Yale University's home course. The regatta was head-race style, each boat competing in their respective events against the clock, racing each other at 15-second interval, to the complete confusion of any spectators.

The results were good at first glance: Northeastern's Varsity 8+ and 1st Novice 8+ finished second behind Yale, while the Varsity A and B 4+s finished 1st and 2nd, respectively. A closer look at the margins (perhaps) tells a different story. NU's V8+ finished 43 seconds behind Yale while the Novices finished 1:23 behind Yale. That being said, a seasoned observer would note that Yale looked a great deal more prepared for head-racing season, charging down the course on both events at a 32-33 stroke rating, far higher than their competition. How they do it?--a fact that still eludes other coaches. Given that information, Yale were the NCAA National Champions last year while Northeastern just missed a NCAA bid, so, in all fairness, they should be smoking.

From a coach's perspective, I was incredibly pleased with the results. We didn't spend time working or doing long pieces at rate, or even talking about how hard to go. We simply have been focusing on teaching, getting 17 athletes to start to gel together, technically and dynamically as a team. We raced at a measly 26 strokes per minute without much aggression (a fact we need to work on), but given where we are and how we prepared, I'm pleased. Besides, we've got nearly 8 months till Eastern Sprints. Lots will change.