DERBY, Conn. --

This weekend, the Bears traveled to the Housatonic River for their Head Racing season opener. It was a good day for racing, with cool air and light winds giving the perfect conditions for great fair racing from all the crews. 

The Novice 8+ started the racing for the Bears in the Collegiate Men's Novice 8+ event. For many of our 4/c rowers in the boat, it was their first rowing race. Coxswain/Rower 4/c Brent Fournier (he rowed with the novice eight before coxing the men's 2V) said of the race: "Coach Randall told us 'if all else fails, pull hard.'" The strategy paid off, and the Novice 8+ won their event by 11 seconds, with a final time of 15:17.2.

Racing continued with the 1v and 2v in the Collegiate (non-IRA) Men's Varsity 8+ event. The 1V had a strong first race, finishing first out of 17 boats with a time of 13:34.0. This is the this the first time CGA has claimed the trophy for this race since 2009. 3/c Harrison Williams commented "It was a fun race, I think we know what to focus on going into next weekend to keep improving. I'm excited to see what this boat can accomplish!" The 2V finished 10th with a time of 14:31.2. 2/c Damian Olechowski noted "I think we've made substantial improvements this fall, and I'm excited to make some tune ups for the Head of the Charles.

Coast Guard Rowing will be back in action next weekend at the Head of the Charles, with the 2V racing in the Men's Club 8+ event on Saturday, and the 1V racing in the Men's Collegiate 8+ on Sunday.