The temperature in Columbus on Saturday will be hovering around freezing. Perfect Big Ten football weather? Maybe. Good weather for rowing? Probably not.
Despite the frigid temperatures, the Michigan crew team will take on Ohio State on Saturday morning in what has become a traditional duel between the two crews prior to the Ohio State-Michigan football game.
Along with the cold, the Wolverines must contend with a hostile Ohio State crowd if they are to beat the Buckeyes.
Because the course passes near the stadium, Ohio State fans on their way to the football game gather on bridges over the river, jeering the Michigan rowers.
The Wolverines are hoping to silence the crowd with a repeat of their performance at the Jack Speakmon Regatta four weeks ago when they took the top two places in the most prestigious championship-eight race, finishing ahead of the third-place Buckeyes.
Unlike other fall races, which were head races, this Saturday's duel will be a sprint. Rather than racing against the clock, as has been the case in Michigan's previous races, in a sprint the boats compete head-to-head. Also, the length of the race (2,000 meters) will be considerably shorter than other fall races.
"We have this race as signifying a transition between the fall and spring seasons," Michigan coach Mark Rothstein said. "It's a fall race in the (format of) a spring regatta."
Michigan has been preparing for its duel with Ohio State since its last competition at the Head of the Elk regatta three weeks ago. Despite temperatures staying well below freezing, making practice difficult, the team has continued to train hard.
"(The race) keeps us on the water with a goal - to beat Ohio State," Michigan assistant coach Pam Carroll said. "Especially during these last two weeks when its been cold, (the team has) been working very hard."
The Wolverines are hoping for a strong showing in their final race before moving indoors for winter training.
"We've had a good fall (season)," Rothstein said. "This race will be a nice ending for our fall season."