Like many other places that have competing universities Zürich sports an academic rowing match. Of course, it is the ETH and the University of Zürich that fight for the prize, and takes place on the Limmat river. The ETH and “Uni” are just across the street to each other, and while the relationship seems friendly that is not the fact during this annual event.   I and many others from Meierwiesenstrasse went to Münsterbrücke to get a good view of the competition and, most importantly, to cheer for ETH. There were three classes: Men, Women and Professors, but what of course attracted the most attention was the Men’s class.

The competition starts on the Lake of Zürich, enters the Limmat and goes downstream for a few hundred meters, passing under Quaibrücke and Münsterbrücke before crossing the finish line on the way to Rathausbrücke.

We knew that ETH (in this race always nicknamed “Poly” after its old name of “Polytechnikum”)  wouldn’t have much of a chance, since the Uni had won for the last eighteen years and were supposed to have a superior rowing team this year as well. Because of this, many people became excited to see that Poly had a large lead over the Uni boat already after Quaibrücke in the first race. We cheered for Poly as they crossed the finish line first, defeating a baffled Uni team. One more win and the challenge prize would hang in the ETH for the first time in almost two decades.

The Poly Women’s team also did very good, beating the Uni with a good margin. The Uni professors were stronger than their Poly counterparts, though. (Note the very nice view over the lake in the above photo, it’s always nice being able to see the Alps rise at the horizon)

The second round proved decisive. The Uni professors and the Poly girls secured their respective victories. People were now very excited for the men’s last race, and there was a small delay as the crews were preparing the boat. It was difficult to determine the leader from where we stood when they passed under Quaibrücke, but it soon became apparent that “Poly” was on their way of returning home with the prize this year.

People were shouting from the bridge and cheering “Poly! Poly! Poly” as the white-and-blue team pulled their final strokes over the finish line.

Happy and inspired by the event we took the tram back to Meierwiesenstrasse for some Saturday studying.