NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. – The California Golden Bears women's rowing team's 2024 season got off to a great start as the 4V8+ and 5V8+ swept their respective races at the California Challenge Cup at the Marina Park in Newport Beach Saturday morning. Both boats raced in duals against another boat twice and had the fastest combined times to pit them against each other for the Steve Guentz Challenge Cup, which the 4V8+ ended up winning. This marks the second consecutive year the Golden Bears have swept all races at the event. All races were 1400 meters in length.
 
The 4V8+ had Cal's first race of the day taking on the 1V8+ from UC Santa Barbara. The Bears dominated the race early taking a lead of open water just 15 strokes into the race. Cal kept the pressure on and was able to grow its lead to several boat lengths of open water towards the finish coming in with a time of 4:42.798, almost 20 seconds ahead of UCSB.
 
The 5V8+ had the next race, facing UC Irvine's 2V8+. The Bears got off to a fast start generating almost a half-boat lead just 10 strokes into the race. By the time Cal hit the 250-meter mark, it was ahead by almost a full-boat length. Midway through the race, the Bears were ahead by several boat lengths of open water and cruised to the win in a time of 4:46.557, nearly 35 seconds ahead of UC Irvine.
 
In its second race of the day, Cal's 4V8+ took on the 1V8+ from UC Irvine. The Bears jumped out to an early lead at about a boat length just 100 meters in. Their lead grew to about two boat lengths of open water at the 500-meter mark and Cal ran away with the win in a time of 4:39.344.
 
Cal's final dual of the day had its 5V8+ face off against the 2V8+ from UCSB. Just 100 meters into the race, the Bears built a half-boat lead, which extended to over a boat of open water at the 500-meter mark. Cal won the race easily in a time of 4:46.62, over 20 seconds ahead of UCSB.
 
"I think it was great to see both boats get faster throughout the day," Cal assistant coach Kirsten Girard said. "Not only did they have great results against everybody else, but they kept pushing themselves and each other, which was one of the more important parts of the day for us."
 
With both of Cal's boats combining for the fastest times of the day, the 4V8+ and 5V8+ both competed for the Steve Guentz Challenge Cup. The 4V8+ took an early one-seat lead about 50 meters into the race. The 5V8+ was able to maintain contact as it was only down two seats at the 150-meter mark. The 4V8+ grew its lead to about six seats as both boats approached 200 meters to go and the 4V8+ just edged out the 5V8+ in a time of 4:39.053, just two seconds ahead.
 
"They were definitely happy to be in that final race, but I think they were hungry for more," Girard said. "That was both of their fastest races of the day so they held each other to a high standard."
 
The Bears will next head to the San Diego Crew Classic at Mission Bay from April 6-7.
 
California Challenge Cup Results
4V8+
1. Cal – 4:42.798
2. UCSB 1V8+ – 5:05.588
 
1. Cal – 4:39.344
2. UC Irvine 1V8+ – 4:58.778
 
5V8+
1. Cal – 4:46.557
2. UC Irvine 2V8+ – 5:20.305
 
1. Cal - 4:46.62
2. UCSB - 5:08.503
 
Steve Guentz Challenge Cup
1. Cal 4V8+ - 4:39.053
2. Cal 5V8+ - 4:41.129
 
California Challenge Cup Lineups
4V8+
Coxswain - Hannah Khutorsky
Stroke - Izzy Campbell
7 - Ella Lewerenz
6 - Francesca Hammerer
5 - Lily Rausser
4 - Sophie Fussell
3 - Vivi Spitz
2 - Charlotte Hill
Bow - Eve Barrancotto
 
5V8+
Coxswain - Jackie Ov
Stroke - Molly Gold
7 - Filippa Ljunggren
6 - Sydney Koutrouba
5 - Annie Brown
4 - Kate Nixon
3 - Sidney Curven
2 - Kylee Harrington
Bow - Claire Banks
 
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