The heavyweight crew team drubbed Syracuse in a controversial race through rough waters yesterday morning.
Referees afterwards called for a rerace, saying the choppy water in Syracuse's lane was not replicated in Dartmouth's lane, contributing to Dartmouth's six-second victory over the 1,500 meter course.
But the coaches decided to let the original decision stand.
"The referee was a complete idiot," Dartmouth Coach Scott Armstrong said.
Armstrong speculated one reason Syracuse did not pursue a rerace was because it had failed in its obligation to produce a fair course.
Because of unrowable conditions, Syracuse had shifted from the Onondaga River to a different, shorter section of water.
"Hell, it is their race course. I believe that is why they let the decision stand," Armstrong said. "They were forced to go into this area they didn't know much about."
"Even if there was a disadvantage ... there was no way it was a six second advantage in our favor," varsity oarsman James Jarrett '97 said.
The first boat had one of its strongest races yet, beginning with a powerful start that overwhelmed the Syracuse crew. The Big Green pressed their advantage, achieving open water around 500 meters.
Syracuse's challenges to Dartmouth were in vain. The Big Green's lead was such that coxswain Trevor Peterson decided to not risk an all-out sprint.
"If you [sprint] in rough or windy water there is the potential for a crab. Given the fact they had a big lead and difficult conditions, the decision not to sprint was a safety play," Armstrong said.
A "crab" occurs when a rower has imperfect control of his oar. The oar may then smash the rower with the force of the passing water.
The JV and novice boats all lost to their Syracuse counterparts.
