THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, March 18, 1995 TAG: 9503180342
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C6 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY BOB HUTCHINSON, OUTDOORS EDITOR
DATELINE: PORTSMOUTH LENGTH: Medium: 78 lines
Some of the world's largest vessels, many more than 500 feet long, dominate the Elizabeth River most days. But today will be an exception.
The 500-footers, weighing thousands of tons, will share the busy waterway with tiny, narrow racing shells, weighing just a few pounds. The occasion will be the fifth annual Crawford Bay Crew Classic for collegiate rowing teams.
Seven schools will compete, including defending champion George Washington, George Mason, Old Dominion, Richmond, North Carolina, Virginia and William and Mary.
Virginia Tech was to have been in the field but dropped out.
Going strong now, the race was the brainchild of Kathy Kitterman, at the time a resident of Portsmouth, who said she wanted to do something to promote the area.
``There wan't anything like it anywhere around,'' she said. ``And there still isn't. The kids have really taken to it.''
Kitterman moved to Annapolis, Md., three years ago and is assistant to the vice-president of medical affairs at George Washington.
Race officials honored and surprised her a year ago by naming one of the eight trophies in her honor. The Kitterman Cup goes to the winner of the men's heavyweight junior varsity match.
Crew is not a scholarship sport. But it is an Olympic sport. Both Virginia and George Washington have rowers who have competed in the Olympics.
Paul Wilkins, the GW coach, also was an Olympian.
This year's races will begin with trials at 10 a.m., starting off the Mobil Oil storage tanks. The finish line will be off Portside on the Portsmouth seawall. The finals should start around 2:15 p.m.
The course will cover the standard 2,000 meters, about 1 1/3 miles.
Classes for women rowers will include novice, junior varsity and varsity, while men will compete in heavyweight novice, heavyweight junior varsity, heavyweight varsity and lightweight varsity.
Eight awards will be up for grabs, including the William P. Murray Cup. Awarded to the overall points leader, the cup is named for a Portsmouth rower who was a national champ in the sport in the late 19th century.
George Washington and Virginia rate as favorites to win the overall championship - GW won last year, beating Virginia by a mere split second in the day's final race.
Race committee chairman Dr. Tim Kerr said this year's competition could be the closest yet.
``Most of us thought Virginia would win last year,'' he said. ``But then GW pulled the upset. Now we have several good teams. I'm looking for some real close races.''
Almost 200 local families will house the visiting rowers and their entourages.
``This is a community affair,'' said Linda Lamm of Ports-Events.
Spectators have a good view of the race course from the Portsmouth seawall. There will be no charge for admission. However, parking spaces for ``tailgate parties'' are $35.
You can make reservations by calling Ports-Events at 393-9933. Charge cards are accepted. ILLUSTRATION: CRAWFORD GLANCE
What: Fifth annual Crawford Bay Crew Classic rowing race
Where: Elizabeth River off Portside seawall in Portsmouth
When: Qualifying heats begin at 10 a.m. Saturday; finals begin at
approximately 2 p.m.
Teams: George Washington, George Mason, Old Dominion, Richmond,
North Carolina, Virginia and William and Mary
Top award: William P. Murray Cup, awarded to the best overall
team.
Other awards: Kitterman Cup, Olde Towne Cup; Portsmouth Cup,
Riverfront Cup, Mayor's Cup, Elizabeth River Cup and Portside Cup
Divisions: Novice, junior varsity and varsity for women;
heavyweight novice, heavyweight junior varsity, heavyweight varsity
and lightweight varsity for men.
Course length: 2,000 meters (about 1 1/3 miles)
by CNB