Two victories each for ETH and the University of Zurich
At the 62 nd Uni-Poly rowing regatta between ETH (Poly) and the University of Zurich (Uni), the results were split evenly: the ETH students’ team won both the men’s and women’s races, while the ETH professors’ and alumni teams had to settle for second.
The 62nd rowing regatta featured a new race: for the first time, former students of the two universities rowed against each other in the 600 meters race between the lake basin and Rathausbrücke. In both runs, the alumni of the University of Zurich claimed victory by less than a second. This was followed by the professors’ race, which also ended in defeat for ETH’s rowing eight. With two clear victories, the University of Zurich has built its lead in the all-time best list to 5:3.
ETH students, on the other hand, were not to be stopped. The women’s team proved once again with their performance that they are almost unbeatable. They dominated their rivals in the second and decisive run – the first race was a tight call. A great feat, considering that the University of Zurich had two reigning Swiss champions on board.
Victory in two runs
The prestigious men’s race was highly anticipated. In recent years, victory has exchanged hands each year – if the rule stood, it would be ETH students’ turn to take the race in 2013.
In the first run, it was neck and neck for the most part, but in the final metres ETH’s eight-man team pushed on and crossed the finish line in 1:39.89 minutes, two seconds ahead of the University of Zurich team. Shortly after half past three, it was time for the second and decisive race. The University of Zurich’s boat with Laura Hofer as cox and Pascal Flory at the bow was level with the ETH boat at Höhe Münsterbrücke. Depending on their perspective, the audience saw one or other boat leading in the last 100 meters; only a touch decided the race. Just 56 hundredths of a second separated ETH’s rowing eight and the University of Zurich’s team – giving ETH Zurich its 36th victory in the men’s race.