THE SUNSET OF CONIBEAR University of Washington Crew Archives, Conibear Shellhouse Washington crossing the finish line in Moscow said, ‘We love that rough water – it feels just like Lake Washington.’”4016 Anderson: “Finally, on Saturday, July 19, it was race day. There was a quartering headwind, and the water was rough. The Americans were surprised to find that they weren’t just lining up against the Trud Leningrad Eight, but also four other Russian crews: the Soviet Red Army Eight, Spartak Moscow, Trud Moscow, and Dynamo Kiev. “Leningrad was in Lane 1, and Washington occupied Lane 2 with the other crews off to starboard.”4017 www.huskycrew.org: “The crew got a much cleaner start than at Henley, with the Soviet Army crew and Leningrad only inching out into the lead. “Stroking at a 34, Sayre maintained a solid run.”4018 The Seattle Times: “The Soviet Army Champs in Lane 3 made the quickest getaway. Leningrad’s Henley champions were second, about a quarter-length ahead of the Huskies. 4016 www.huskycrew.org 4017 Anderson, op. cit., p. 52 4018 www.huskycrew.org “At the 500-meter mark Washington pulled even with Leningrad, which had passed the Army Eight. It was a two-boat race from there on. “By the 1,000-meter mark Washington had nearly a length lead. As they passed the roaring grandstand, the Huskies were swinging powerfully, riding the waves like bronco-busters. They boosted the beat from 33 to 36, and the sinking sun glinted in blinding brilliance on the widening expanse of open water between the shells. “Even over the crowd’s bellowing, the cries of John Bisset, coxswain, could be heard as he peered over his shoulder and saw the gap growing. As the Swiftsure glided past the finish, Bisset, in near- hysteria, nearly swamped the shell, standing yelling, waving his arms and blowing kisses to his crewmates.”4019 www.huskycrew.org: “‘The boat was really singing,’ said Bisset. ‘The boys rowed it perfect.’ “The Soviet crowd cheered the Washington crew with a standing ovation. 4019 Georg N. Meyers, Husky “Bronc-Busters” Ride Waves to Triumph, The Seattle Times, July 19, 1958 1113
