University of Zurich wins the Uni-Poly in three out of four categories
Only in the ladies’ category was ETH Zurich able to hold its own against the University of Zurich. In all categories, there was already a clear winner after the first two heats.
On Saturday, the University of Zurich’s boats dominated the 63rd Uni-Poly Rowing Regatta, winning in the categories for men, professors and alumni. ETH Zurich claimed victory in the ladies’ category.
In the heart of Zurich’s Old Town, crews from Zurich’s two universities challenged each other in a series of best-of-three races held over a 600-metre course from the lower end of the lake basin to the Town Hall. This year was the second in a row in which the event comprised duels in four different categories. Since 2013, alumni from the University of Zurich and ETH Zurich have joined the students and professors’ eights in taking part.
While the University men’s eight had quite a big lead in the first heat, the second proved more exciting. However, the University of Zurich’s students clung on for victory, in the process making up some ground in the overall number of wins (25 for the University of Zurich, 36 for ETH). At 1:35.56 minutes, the winning students’ first heat was the fastest of all in this year’s regatta.
For the ladies, ETH Zurich’s eight dominated both heats, meaning that ETH’s female students further extended their lead in the overall total to 12:1.
Although the two professors’ eights also served up two exciting races, both were ultimately won by the University of Zurich. Overall, the University of Zurich is ahead in this contest, leading by six wins to three. The University of Zurich also won the series in the alumni category, increasing its overall lead to 2:0.
Inspired by the famous Boat Race on the Thames between the English universities of Oxford and Cambridge, the rowing contest between the University of Zurich and ETH Zurich has been held in the city since 1945. The two universities challenge each other in teams of eight.