The Bucknell Men opened their fall racing campaign the Head of the Genesee Regatta held on the Genesee River in Rochester, NY. Clear skies, cool temperatures, flat water and a light tailwind promised fast racing conditions for the much anticipated season-opener. The first Bucknell Crews down the course for the 5k head race format were the 1V, 2V and 3V competing in the Collegiate 8+ Event, with the Bucknell Freshman 8+ following shortly thereafter in the Men’s Novice 8+ event.
The Bucknell Varsity 8+ had a very strong first 2000m of the 5K course, but had to contend with the Rochester University Lightweight 8+ (racing in a different event) that failed to yield for the reminder of the course, leading the Varsity 8+ to finish in 2nd with a time of 16:13.50. The Bucknell 2V then followed with a strong effort, finishing 5th overall with a time of 16:42.78 – defeating Varsity 8+’s from Rochester, SUNY Buffalo and St. Lawrence. The 3V followed with a strong effort as well, posting a time of 18:27.43, good for 20th overall. The last of the Bucknell Crews to complete the Head Race portion of the Regatta was the Bucknell Freshman 8+, who in spite of their collective lack of experience was able to win the Novice 8+ Event with a time of 17:05.01. The head race portion was followed by a 4 hour intermission before the 1500m sprint portion was held. The Bison men swept their sprint races, with the 1V finishing with a 1 length lead over Hobart, the 2V with an open water win over the Rochester V8, the 3V with an open water win over Clarkson and the Freshman boat with a 30 second victory over the Rochester 3V.
The Bucknell Men will now spend the week preparing for the largest fall regatta in the world at the Head of the Charles, held in Boston, Massachusetts on Saturday and Sunday, October 20-21