Having navigated the first half of the fall season's short slate, Notre Dame is preparing for its third regatta, which will be held Sunday against Indiana University. The event, which takes place in Indianapolis, is considered a scrimmage and will not count toward either school's record.
The action will consist of five minute races, with both competing boats starting at the same time and racing for distance, rather than time.
Irish coach Martin Stone said his teams have never participated in such an event so early in the year. Stone said the regatta's departure from the ordinary structure of fall season events will help prepare his squad for the primary season in the spring.
"It's a different format," he said. "It's just to see what we need to get better at. We've never done this format before in the fall, but it's becoming more popular. It's going to help us transition into the spring."
The Hoosiers come into Sunday's scrimmage having placed eighth out of 45 competing teams in their race at the Princeton Chase last weekend on Lake Carnegie in Princeton, N.J.
After those results, Stone said Indiana will race well against the Irish.
"I expect them to be very competitive," Stone said. "They raced very well at the Princeton Chase, finishing in the top eight."
One point of emphasis this week has been finding a consistent lineup for the varsity eight boats, which will be important once Notre Dame returns from its winter offseason. Stone said he will have a better idea after this week's training who he will place together in the eight-man shells.
"We spent more time in the eights this week than last week," he said. "We're probably closer to having a lineup there."
The crew will face the Hoosiers Sunday at 11 a.m.
