Dad Vail Rowing Teams Spring Predictions

[gdoyle]

Doyle, we all know there is a lot more money involved for a large team in switching venues beyond the extra 77 miles it takes to drive there. I'm not a coach of a team or in a position to know hard numbers, but I know there are persons who read this board and can truely speak to that. So if someone wants to go down that path, which I don't, they can.

I really had you pegged for a quicker sense of humor. Off day?

[MV8Fan]

I really had you pegged for a quicker sense of humor. Off day?

Yes. I had an amazing weekend of sunshine and good water. Now, I have rain...
But on a side note, it would have been fun to watch races on Bon Jovi's deck!

[JT and Ben]

I think what he was saying was what makes this year different, why would they go every year and not this one? there must be something missing (like boat speed) to make the trip not worthwhile

Flight costs have gone up, hotel costs have gone up, rental car prices have gone up just to name a few things. Maybe it was determined long before this season started that they may not be going there? Maybe the race stuards wanted new blood in the Copely? When you're a club, you generally try and race anyone who is willing to line up next to you. You have nothing to loose and everything to gain from racing top crews, even if you don't supposedly have boat speed of years past. So I just have a real hard time believeing that they are ducking any competition because people think they'll be slower.


As far as the original intent of this thread: Dad Vail team predictions, I need to see a 2k result or two before I'll give my spring predictions. Too many teams take the fall differently. Racing even boats, train through head races instead of for them just to name a few. Let alone on the water time and condition differences for crews come spring and also how hard/well teams condition in the winter. I think we've all seen boats in the fall just be beasts and then fall short come sprint season and visa versa.

Just to be clear, I never wanted to give the impression that Purdue was "ducking any competition" those are your words not mine. But as an ex-club rower I know that if you're having a down year it doesn't make much sense to spend the money to fly out to San Diego to race if you don't think you have the speed. But I don't know, the race is also a week earlier this year maybe that's part of the explanation too. Your other points about fall results not always translating to the spring are totally valid, I guess we'll just have to wait and see.

[gdoyle]

But on a side note, it would have been fun to watch races on Bon Jovi's deck!

I had plans to watch it from a cigarette boat with a bunch of paesanos. I was working on my bench press all fall and hitting the tanning booth.

[MV8Fan]

But on a side note, it would have been fun to watch races on Bon Jovi's deck!

I had plans to watch it from a cigarette boat with a bunch of paesanos. I was working on my bench press all fall and hitting the tanning booth.

LMAO! But can you fist pump with the best of them?

[str8four]

lwtfilippi,

Based upon what Hartstuff said, "We are excited to send some if not all of our team back to the Dad Vail" I am still guessing that Michigan's V8 will be at Vails. And if Temple beats them at San Diego, I am even more confident that Michigan will show up for a rematch.

I've also noticed that Bucknell and USD aren't scheduled for Vails this year, so I'll revise my December predictions:

1. Michigan
2. Temple
3. GVSU
4. Fordham
5. Purdue
6. FIT

Petite Final (no order): Drexel, Army, Jacksonville, St. Joes, Georgia Tech, Delaware

[Lwtfilippi]

Yeah, I've just been hearing a lot of rumors that they wont make an appearance in the V8, so I just assumed that they were going to ECACs, or maybe they're going to both, whichever, they'll tear it up wherever they go

[feet out]

Michigan may be thinking double in Vails and ECAC, but that is an increasingly tough task this year with ECACs in Worcester. I think it might be tough to race the vails Grand Final around 5pm, de-rig, load the trailer, get on the road and arrive in worcester approx 5+ hours away, getting in around midnight and then racing in the AM. Can it be done...sure, but is it the smart decision to put your athletes through three days of racing like that with big travel in the middle, probably not in my opinion.

[ieatergsforbreakfast]

No one has said UVA. I've got UVA to medal somewhere. My understanding is that Michigan IS going to dad vail's.

[Lwtfilippi]

UVA? They're kinda fast (especially that sub 6 guy) but I don't think they're grand finals fast

What evidence is there to think that they'll medal?

[Almostflipped]

Typically, when you see one guy get that fast on a team, you see him pulling some boys along with him. IOW, that speed doesn't often come in a vacuum and whatever system let him get that fast, will make the people around him quick as well. Add in a team that has had solid results in the very recent past, has numbers, has a new coach with a solid background, and as far as I know has alumni support; and it's very easy to see them in the Grands. As for medals....they are still in a rebuilding year so I'd withhold that prediction until some on water results come out.

[JT and Ben]

UVA does't go to Vails, so I think that's probably why you haven't seen anyone throw their name around. Typically UVA goes to ECACs and now they usually go to ECACs and ACRAs, but I can't remember ever seeing them race at Vails.

[LateinEarlyOut]

Keep in mind too that the UVA men benefit somewhat from the women's program and facilities. The men contribute but the women's program pays for most of the facility costs.

Not many years ago UVA men were one of the top 3 club programs in the country. It is no doubt that they can get right back there given a little time.

[Lwtfilippi]

UVA does't go to Vails, so I think that's probably why you haven't seen anyone throw their name around. Typically UVA goes to ECACs and now they usually go to ECACs and ACRAs, but I can't remember ever seeing them race at Vails.

On their website they have dad vails listed on their schedule. I think they are having a rebuilding year and in the future will be a strong team, but not anytime soon

[glory15]

if UVA does have legitimate speed this year, that is sure a quick turnaround from last year to this. they were in the C finals at ACRAS with a slow time with now a possibility of a GF appearance.