WPI Women's Rowing - 2019 NCAA's: May 31

I will start by saying that today ended on a fantastic note - both crews advanced to the grand finals! Getting to that racing opportunity was frustrating and challenging. We arrived at the venue around 6AM to a perfect sunny morning with flat water, and the 2V immediately started warming up for their scheduled 8:12 race. After a full warmup and putting hands on the boat to launch around 7:20, it was announced racing would be delayed until the afternoon. All the athletes returned tot the hotel for quiet rest until we got an update from the race organizing committee. Turns out that heavy rain the prior night caused very large masses of debris to flow into the reservoir and damage the start line infrastructure and covering the race course with floating logs, wood, etc. See pics below. The athletes returned in the afternoon after it was announced racing would start at 3PM (our 2V's heat). Once again, the 2V did a full warmup, and were just finishing when it was announced racing was delayed until 4PM...grrrr... Meanwhile, the 1V stayed in the shade and off their feet, and coaches Noble, Larissa, and Liz volunteered as launch drivers to help with debris removal. At 2:50 the 2V started their 3rd warmup of the day, then launched and headed out to do battle. The 1V did the same, then launched for their 4:30 race. At 4PM, the Star Spangled Banner was played and racing started, with on-water lane seeding changes happening due to fairness committee decisions. The 2Vs blasted off the start for 100m, when the Bates boat stopped rowing for broken equipment. The race was stopped and sent back to 'warmup' under the blazing sun. Meanwhile, the next 2V heat ran, then the two 1V heats ran, while our 2V roasted under the sun for another 30 min. The 1V won their heat with a solid row, taking down Wellesley, then the 2V rowed a fantastic piece finishing 2nd to Bates and open water over the remaining crews. Hooo...Raahhh! A good day! Tomorrow we race for the national championship at 11:12 and 11:36AM! Hope to see you there or that you can watch live, online!