A strong Crimson crew armada will open its official racing season this afternoon, with prospects for a clean sweep as five Varsity and Freshman boats meet crews from Syracuse, B.U., and M.I.T. in the Rowe Cup Regatta on the Charles.

Bert Haines' second Varsity 150 pound crew will leave the starting line in front of the Tech boathouse at 2:30 o'clock, to race against M.I.T. only. Homans' crews has been staying close to Vint Bailey's powerful first 150's all spring, and the race should cause no trouble for Harvard.

Yardlings Need Smoothness

At 4:15 o'clock the regatta resumes, with Harvey Love's Yardling contingent rowing the Henley distance against B.U. and Tech. Not yet as strong nor as smooth as last year's undefeated Freshman eight, the '43 boat, paced by Bus Curwen, faces even less experienced oarsmen. They should win without too much difficulty, although the Engineers have one of the best first-year outfits ever. The B.U. Freshman boat is filled with good material, but still needs many more miles of rowing before it will be a threat.

The first 150 pound crew races at 4:30 o'clock against Tech. M.I.T. has recently had a change in its coaching staff, and perhaps Vint Bailey's crew will have to row its best to beat the other lightweights. The '50 contest with the down-river Institute is usually a close one, but Harvard should win again today.

Probably the closest race of the day will be between the Jayvee boats from Syracuse and Harvard when they race at 4:45 o'clock. Syracuse has a strong Varsity squad and their second best may give the Crimson, stroked by Colt Wagner, a stiff fight all the way down the course. Little opposition is expected from B.U. and M.I.T.

Cup May Go to Crimson

Since the Crimson's Varsity sweep-swingers number six veterans from last year's undefeated championship boat, it is expected that they will win the Rowe Cup today with little effort. The ported that the Germans north of Roeros were finding the going increasingly more difficult in the rugged region as British fighting planes, operating from new Norwegian bases, appeared and gave battle to the Nazi bombers