The nation's best men's varsity eight boats have spent the 2009 season beating each other, which suggests a theme for the next three days at Lake Natoma.
Look for tight finishes in the 107th Intercollegiate Rowing Association Championships.
Cal lost to Washington earlier this season, but then edged Stanford by 0.3 seconds, with the Huskies a half-boat-length back in third, in the Pacific-10 Conference Championships last month at Lake Natoma.
Harvard beat Brown before Brown beat Harvard and defending national champion Wisconsin in the Eastern Sprints in May. But Cal edged Washington and Harvard in the San Diego Crew Classic in April.
So who emerges Saturday as national champion is anyone's guess.
"The strongest field, across the board, I've seen, at least in the years we've been going to the IRAs," said Harvard coach Harry Parker, who brought the Crimson to the event in 1995 and from 2003 to 2008.
Cal coach Mike Teti, the U.S. Olympic men's head coach in 2008, said he doesn't expect anyone to dominate.
"I can't remember a year where no one was undefeated," he said. "I think there'll be close races all the way through."
Competition begins at 8 a.m. today with four heats in the men's varsity eight, followed by heats in the men's second varsity eight, men's freshmen eight, men's open four and men's varsity four.
The women's lightweight eight heats are scheduled for Friday.
Because the NCAA doesn't hold rowing championships for men or lightweight women, the IRAs are considered the national collegiate championships for those divisions.
The Lake Natoma event marks the first time the IRAs have been held on the West Coast. Camden, N.J., hosted the competition in 1993 and from 1995 to 2008.
"It's great to have it on the West Coast, which has a strong tradition in rowing as well," Teti said. "It's close to the Bay Area. We'll have our alums."
Many Eastern coaches and rowers received their first exposure to Lake Natoma in practice sessions the past few days.
"I just think it's tremendous," Harvard's Parker said. "I'm really impressed. Our women have been out here for the NCAA championships and have spoken very highly of it, and now I understand why.
"It's a great facility."
Drexel coach Paul Savell concurred.
"It's pretty sheltered with the hills here," he said. "That keeps the wind down.
"This is a world-class site. It doesn't have currents."
Today's forecast calls for light winds, a high of 79 degrees, some sunshine and a possible thunderstorm, according to Accuweather.
"Wind would alter strategies and lane issues," said Stanford coach Craig Amerkhan- ian. "It would create a whole different type of regatta."
As the boats glide across the water, look for surges in the final 500 meters of the 2,000-meter course.
And wonder what's going on in the rowers' minds.
"Rowing is all about, 'How much (punishment) can I take?' " Wisconsin coach Chris Clark said. "It's similar to triathlon or swimming or cross country or wrestling.
"Anybody out here watching can say, 'God, they look great.' But you don't know what's in their heads."
Call The Bee's John Schumacher, (916) 326-5523.
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