Huskies sweep to wins in Windermere Cup

SEATTLE – Washington’s varsity and second-varsity eights, men’s and women’s, breezed to victories in all four major races in the 27th Windermere Cup on Saturday on Montlake Cut.

An estimated 10,000-plus spectators were spread out along the Cut’s 2,000-meter course.

The two-time defending champion Washington men’s varsity-eight crew took command early and steadily pulled away, finishing in 5 minutes, 45 seconds.

Ninth-ranked Cornell, trailing by multiple boat lengths, took second in 5:57.1 with 16th-ranked Dartmouth third (6:03.7).

The fourth-ranked Washington women’s varsity eight also broke quickly from the starting line and finished in 6:35.6, more than 10 seconds ahead of 17th-ranked Cornell (6:46.2). Dartmouth (6:57.3) was third.

Buoyed by their upset of No. 2 California last week, the UW women hope to make some ripples of their own in the postseason, which begins May 19 with the Pac-12 championships.