Yale Athletics

The Yale lightweight crew team extended its dominant start to the season this weekend on Sunday, March 30 versus Georgetown and MIT, securing two more cup victories on Lake Carnegie, adding to their trophy collection from Saturday when they secured the Van Amringe and Johnson Cups against the U.S. Naval Academy. 

The Elis claimed both the Bulldog Cup and the Joy Cup, strengthening their undefeated record for the season’s beginning at the National Collegiate Lightweight Invitational.

“We’ve worked incredibly hard all winter and were really looking forward to kicking off the spring season this weekend,” said Y150 captain Dylan Oberst ’25 to Yale Athletics. “I’m proud of the team’s grit and composure through tough racing all weekend.”

Sunday morning’s racing conditions — flat water and a light tail breeze — set an ideal stage for a fast competition. Yale wasted no time asserting its dominance, with the Third Varsity four team kicking off the day’s events at 10:10 a.m., against MIT, Georgetown ‘A’ and Georgetown ‘B’.

The Bulldogs and Georgetown ‘B’ took early control, gaining nearly a length on the field within the first 200 meters of the course. After staying level through the opening 500 meters, Yale pulled away in the second half of the race, crossing the finish line at 6:52.20 with open water over the competition.

The Georgetown ‘B’ team followed with a time of 6:57.90 and Georgetown ‘A’ with a time of 7:00.90. MIT trailed behind the Yale team almost a full 50 seconds with a time of 7:41.90.

Next up was the Second Varsity eight team against Georgetown and MIT 10 minutes later. All three crews launched aggressively, staying even through the first 250 meters. As the race progressed, Georgetown initially edged ahead of Yale, but the Bulldogs responded with a powerful move in the second 500 meters, surging into the lead. 

Despite Georgetown maintaining contact into the final stretch, Yale held firm, finishing bow to stern ahead of its rival with a time of 6:06.80. Georgetown followed three seconds behind, while MIT trailed again with a time of 6:31.70.

The final race of the day at 10:30 a.m. was a high-stakes showdown as Yale’s First Varsity eight team aimed to defend the Bulldog Cup against Georgetown while also contending for the Joy Cup against MIT. In the opening strokes, MIT seized an early lead, with Georgetown only slightly ahead of Yale. 

By the 500-meter mark, the Bulldogs found their rhythm, drawing level with Georgetown and steadily closing the gap on MIT. At the 1,000-meter mark, Yale powered ahead of MIT, taking a half-length lead before extending into a final sprint over open water. Their commanding finish with a time of 5:56.70 secured the Bulldog Cup for the second consecutive year and brought the Joy Cup home to Gilder Boathouse.

“We’re thrilled to bring four trophies back to Gilder, but the work doesn’t stop here,” said Captain Oberst to Yale Athletics.

With an undefeated opening weekend behind them, the Bulldogs now turn their focus towards their next challenge. The team will travel to Philadelphia on April 12 to compete for the Dodge and Colgan Cups against Penn and Columbia.