For the first time in years, Middlesex went into the Charles for an early season race with Belmont Hill and Cambridge Rindge and Latin.  It was a very windy day, with a choppy and white-capped Charles slapping away at the crews from their sterns as they raced along the Cambridge shore. 
 
The Middlesex 5^th boat was out for their first race of their season, and unfortunately they had equipment breakage 100m after the start and had to go back to the Bel Hill boathouse to change shells.  When they came back out to race Belmont Hill's 6^th boat at the end of the afternoon, they put forth their best effort, but came up 30 seconds short on their opponents.  Congratulations to these five guys for standing up against some tough conditions for their first-ever race though!
 
In the 4^th boat race, Belmont Hill's 4^th and 5^th boats got off to a solid lead in the first 200 meters, and the Middlesex 4^th boat, in a new lineup for the first time, struggled to keep their timing together down the course.  That being said, they also persevered through some tough wind and water conditions.  Middlesex finished just under a minute behind the Belmont Hill boats. 
 
The Middlesex 3^rd boat had a clean start off the line, clearly moving ahead of CRLS, while Belmont Hill again took a commanding lead.  By the end of the 1250m piece, Middlesex finished 23 seconds ahead of CRLS, but 23 seconds behind Belmont. 
 
The 2^nd boat race was a bit tighter for all boats through the first 300, when Belmont Hill started to move away from Middlesex, and Middlesex started to take seats on Cambridge.  In the last 500 Belmont moved away for a commanding 18 second lead over Middlesex at the line, with CRLS following Middlesex by 9 seconds. 
 
The 1^st boat race was another test of wills for the 1^st boat crew, who shot off the line alongside CRLS and Belmont, and then as Belmont moved away throughout the race, CRLS and Middlesex exchanged seats back and forth.  At the beginning of the sprint the two crews were even, and with a spirited effort, the Middlesex boys came across the line just a ½ second ahead of Cambridge, but 20 seconds behind perennial powerhouse Belmont Hill.
Great racing to all, and thank you to Belmont for hosting.