BOSTON – Wrapping up the 2023 spring season, the Boston University lightweight rowing program is set for the 2023 IRA National Championship Regatta. Racing for the Terriers begins on Saturday (June 3) at 8 a.m. on Lake Mercer in West Windsor, N.J.
BU's first entry launches with the Lightweight Double at 8 a.m. in Lane 3 on Saturday, followed by the Lightweight 4 at 8:10 a.m. in Lane 3 and Lightweight 8 at 8:20 a.m. in Lane 5. The Grand Finals take place on Sunday (June 4) at 8 a.m. and 8:10 a.m. with the Lightweight Double and Lightweight 4, respectively. The Lightweight 8 Grand Final races at 10 a.m.
Fans can follow the results live on RegattaTiming, using the link at the top of the article. Those unable to attend the regatta can watch each day live on the IRA's official YouTube channel @irarowing. Additional spectator information and schedules are available on the IRA's official website and row2k.
The Terriers enter the national championship with its Lightweight 8 ranked second in the country, behind No. 1 Princeton. BU's Lightweight 4 and Lightweight Double are both third, with MIT and Harvard-Radcliffe in second in the entries, respectively.
BU heads into the IRAs after capturing two gold medals at the Dad Vail Regatta from May 12-13 at Cooper River Park. The Terriers placed first in the Collegiate Double and Varsity 8, marking the first time since 2019 BU won gold in both events.
In addition to the Terriers' success at the Dad Vail, BU also performed well throughout the spring. At the Eastern Sprints, the Terriers posted wins in the "B" entries of the Lightweight Double and Lightweight 4, while posting second-place efforts in the top Lightweight 4 and Lightweight 8 crews. BU notched six top-three results at the 2023 Knecht Cup, and retained the Beanpot for the sixth-consecutive time with a Varsity 8 triumph over Harvard-Radcliffe and MIT.
Last year, BU was the runner-up at the IRAs after garnering 58 points, eight behind defending team champion Princeton and two ahead of Radcliffe. The Terriers took silver in the double sculls in a time of 7:53.101, while the Lightweight 4 earned third in 7:47.621. The Lightweight 8 was fourth after crossing the finish in 7:02.559. The Tigers were victorious in the Double and the Lightweight 8, while MIT was the leader in the Lightweight 4.
SATURDAY RACE SCHEDULE
- 8:00 a.m. – Lightweight Double Race for Lanes
- 8:10 a.m. – Lightweight 4 Race for Lanes
- 8:20 a.m. – Lightweight 8 Race for Lanes
SUNDAY RACE SCHEDULE
- 8:00 a.m. – Lightweight Double Grand Final
- 8:10 a.m. – Lightweight 4 Grand Final
- 10:00 a.m. – Lightweight 8 Grand Final
- 11:00 a.m. – Lightweight Double Award Ceremony
- 11:05 a.m. – Lightweight 4 Award Ceremony
- 11:30 a.m. – Lightweight 8 Award Ceremony
- 11:35 a.m. – Lightweight Team Championship Award Ceremony
