The Big Race

Oxford and Cambridge Universities in England have an annual rowing competition that has gone on since 1829 and helps define the competitive relationship between these two prestigious British institutes of higher learning. The rivalry is legend, complete with modern commercial sponsorships of the annual spring competition.

The main two Zurich universities -- the University of Zurich and the institution that we are visiting - the Swiss Federal Technical Institution (known also by its Swiss initials ETH and simply as 'Poly', the team in white in the picture) -- have begun their own fall rowing tradition. It takes place on the scenic part of the river that feeds into Lake Zurich, which winds its way through the historic streets of the old part of the city of Zurich.

Unlike the the older English version of the competition, the 'Uni-Poly' race is actually three races: one for teams of men, teams of women and teams of faculty. Also, unlike the English version, the course is quite short -- perhaps 500 meters. However, in each division they compete to win 2 out of 3 heats.

Today's race was, unfortunately, dominated by the University of Zurich teams, who won both the women's and men's competitions by winning the first two heats quite easily. The only bright spot for the Poly was the faculty team, which dominated the Uni's faculty.



It was a lovely, crisp, fall afternoon none the less. Isaac chose our path via bus and tram down to the area where the race was run. He worked up a hunger on our trip into the city, and sated it with this double-decker hamburger we bought at a food stand near the river. We sat by the river on a cool but sunny afternoon day. After the race we went to a favorite Swiss restaurant -- Movenpic - and had a lovely hot chocolate. Tomorrow, we hope to get in a nice hike before the weather gets any colder.