The Master Men's Program of Marin Rowing Association competed at the Crew Classic in San Diego this past weekend. This is the major spring fixture in the US, and draws top crews from all over the
country. All races are on San Diego's Mission Bay, a 7 lane over a 2,000 meter race course.
In the last 15 years, Marin have often placed second or third in the various age-handicapped events, but have never won a gold medal...until this weekend that is. This time, Marin's Master Men won an unprecedented three gold medals in three separate masters' events, being the "B" event (Boat average age 36-42), the "E" event (ages 55-59) and the "Club" event, which is the overall championship and is open to crews of all ages, but is age handicapped with pro rata time bonuses for the older crews.
In the 6 boat "B" event final, Marin's strongest competition was Milwaukee Rowing Club, a "Stacked" composite boat which included Aquil Abdullah and Ben Holbrook, both of whom represented the US at the 2004 Athens Olympics, Phil Henry, former world champion, and Dan Gehn, former US National Team member. Marin won the six and a half minute race by 2 seconds over Milwaukee in second place.
Click below to see two more photos.
Who wants to do this with me?