The Yale heavyweight crew team is gearing up for the 2026 IRA National Championships, held from May 29 to May 31 in Lake Natoma, California. This is notable as it marks the first IRA regatta on the West Coast since 2019. Previous performances include an 11th-place finish at the 2025 championships and a strong showing at the recent Eastern Sprints, where the first varsity crew won the petite final. The championships will feature 24 boats vying for the V8 title, with heats dictating who advances through the competition.

By the Numbers
  • The first varsity eight finished 11th nationally and 5th in the petite final at 5:28.01.
  • The second varsity secured a 6th place finish in the grand final with a time of 5:37.18.
State of Play
  • The regatta celebrates its 123rd edition with multiple heats on Friday.
  • Teams will compete for points across the 1V, 2V, and 3V categories to win the Ten Eyck Memorial Trophy.
What's Next

The competition kicks off with heats for all three universities on Friday morning, where top performers will aim to secure their spots in the semifinals and ultimately, the grand finals on Sunday.

Bottom Line

The Yale crew team's performance this weekend at the IRA National Championships is critical for building momentum heading into future competitions and demonstrating their potential on a national stage.