UW Adds to Rowing Lore in Louisiana
November 13, 2004 | Men's Rowing
The men's crew won the Marathon Rowing Championships held on the Cane River in Natchitoches, La., Saturday in legendary fashion. The team beat Texas by 10 seconds, winning with a time of 2 hours 35 minutes and 59 seconds.
After starting behind Texas, the Badgers' main competitor, the UW boat struck a submerged log, and the fin of the boat, used to keep the boat on course broke off after about 14 miles of the 26.2-mile race. Senior Anders Pesavento jumped into the water, swam to the back of the boat and replaced it with an extra fin they had on board.
The whole repair only took about five minutes, but gave Texas a chance to regain the lead. After the repair, the Badgers took back the lead and finished the race only 1:09 behind the reigning world record time.
'The men competed very tough today,' said assistant coach Ed Golding. 'After having to go through the situation with the fin, and still winning the race, and only one minute behind the record, was very impressive. '
The men are now on their winter break and will be back in action April 9 in Madison, Wis., against Michigan.
