Ahead of the dual season, the annual San Diego Crew Classic, now in its 52nd year, provides 2000-meter racing for competitors of all abilities. Famous for its dubious crosswind, the course can be helpful as an early season predictor, however, with only four entries to the women’s Collegiate Cal Cup, it may function more as a scramble to claim some silverware. Regardless, the Crew Classic promises an opportunity to flex those long winter miles and gain valuable experience on the race course.
University of California – Santa Barbara
Hoping to retain last year’s title, the University of California Santa Barbara will be a formidable outfit to beat this weekend. Unlike other crews, they have a wealth of racing experience from this academic year, placing an honourable 26th in the collegiate eights at the Head of the Charles, where they faced NCAA crews. Certainly, in the realm of club rowing, they are not to be laughed at either, placing third in the B-final of last year’s ARCA National Championship. While they stole a nail-biting half second victory away from local rivals Orange Coast in 2024, I believe UCSB will be the team to beat this time around.
Loyola Marymount University
Continuing the SoCal theme, Loyola Marymount showcases what I believe to be a younger novice crew at the Classic. In November, LMU won the Novice Fours event at the San Diego Fall Classic by over 20 seconds and placed fourth in the Open Pairs. Having looked at previous calendars, it seems the Crew Classic is the pinnacle of their season, and for this reason, along with familiarity of the course, I believe they could cause some real upset this weekend.
San Diego State University
Defending home waters is San Diego State, who will race for the first time this season. The women placed sixth at last year’s Western Intercollegiate Rowing Association Championships In Sacramento and will hope to come away with a podium finish to start their season with a ‘bang’.
Arizona State University
As the only out-of-state entry in this category, Arizona State University will not have travelled in vain. The Sun Devils have travelled for competition this academic year, with a seventh-place finish from Walters and DeLima in the championship double at the Head of the Hooch. They last faced a similar field at the ACRA Championships, where they reached the C-final. I am excited to see what they can produce on the sprint course.
Prediction:
I think it will be difficult to overcome the crew from UCSB; however, the remaining podium positions are harder to vouch for. Provided LMU retains its momentum from the fall, I think it will be between them and Arizona State to round off the medals. Regardless, the ACRA Cup is an exciting showcase of club rowing, which scarcely gets an opportunity to shine amidst the NCAA racing.
About The Author
Discover more from JRN
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
