By Trisha Buchanan
The University of Ottawa and Carleton University have successfully revived a Canadian rowing tradition dating back to the Second World War.
This marked the first year the two Ottawa schools went head-to-head for the P.D. Ross trophy.
Carleton came out the winner, finishing the 7.5-km course in 23 minutes and 30 seconds. The University of Ottawa finished just over a minute behind with a time of 24 minutes and 41 seconds.
Carleton rower Dan Thompson says his crew rowed a good race, and the rowers are pleased with the outcome.
“It was a technically excellent boat,” says Thompson. “We pulled out right at the start and held it for the entire race.”
Emily Boyle, a U of O rower, says the outcome was disappointing but perhaps not a surprise.
“Our team isn’t very strong this year,” says Boyle. “We actually only had six rowers for this race and had to find two others.”
With its win on Oct. 17, Carleton joined a list of winners in a race that dates back almost 50 years.
During the Second World War, two Canadian prisoners of war, one from the University of Ottawa and one from McMaster University, were imprisoned in Germany. The two men conceived the idea of a head-to-head rowing race between their two schools.
After their release, the race became a reality.
Major General P.D. Ross, also a member of the Canadian military, donated a trophy and the race ran for 30 years until it stopped being run in the mid-1980s for unknown reasons.
Last year, Kurt Herman, coach of the men’s rowing team at Carleton, came up with the idea to revive the race. Attempts were made to run the race last year but the idea never got off the ground.
This year Herman tried again and the U of O accepted the challenge.
Each university selected four male and four female rowers to make up an “Eight”, which means there are eight rowers in each boat. The race ran on the Ottawa River from the Rockcliffe Flying Club to the Ottawa Rowing Club.
For Herman, reviving the race was more than just creating another grudge match between the two schools.
“We thought, with the profile of rowing as it is now, this race may help bring up that profile for both universities ,” says Herman. “It’s something else for people to see and do. There are only a few rowing events in town.”
Michael Jean, a U of O rowing coach, feels the same.
“It’s quite a traditional race, and it will be nice to rekindle the tradition.”
But don’t expect this race to turn into a rowing version of the Panda game — the annual football contest between the two universities.
“Both crews row out of the Ottawa Rowing Club so there’s quite a bit of camaraderie there,” says Herman.
Jean agrees that it’s more of a friendly competition between the crews.
“Rowing is a small community,” says Jean. “We may develop some sibling rivalry but really it’s just a fun race.”
Plans are already in the works for next year’s race, which will probably take place in September.
Thompson says an earlier date for the race should help both the rowers and spectators.
“The earlier date should help to get both universities hyped up about the rowing season,” says Thompson.
“Also, we don’t want to interfere with the regular training and racing schedules for the crews because this is really only an exhibition race.”
Thompson also says putting the race closer to both university’s frosh week activities may help bring out more spectators.