The eyes of the nation's crew enthusiasts will be on the Crimson-tipped oars of Harvard's varsity eight this afternoon as it flashes over the waters of Lake Carnegie in quest of its first victory on the road to Olympic world championship.

Princeton, Rutgers, and M.I.T. are the crews the Crimson must beat today if it is to continue to be the favorite for the United States entry in the London Olympics next summer.

Thursday afternoon the Crimson posed on the Newell Boat House float with coxswain Sam Mantel clutching the gold-encrusted Compton Cup which it defends today. Whether posing with this trophy before the race is symptomatic of sublime confidence or resignation to defeat is a matter for speculation.

If over-confidence is the reason, Tom Bolles has no part of it. In fact, most of those officially concerned with the proceedings expect a close race over the mile-and-three-quarters course.

Taggert Replaces Gale

Jud Gale still is measuring his extensive frame upon a Stillman Infirmary cot, and Bob Taggert will do the pulling from his number five slot. The rest of the first boat remains as planned, with Bill Curwen getting his first test as stroke in the big time.

But for Curwen and coxswain Mantel, the stern of the favored Crimson shell will be weighted down with veterans. Captain Paul Knaplund, Frank Strong, and Dick Emmet are all returnees from the championship 1947 boat, and Bolles is counting heavily on their performance this afternoon. Bowman Mike Scully is also a time-tested oar, but it will be the first performance in the major leagues for Don Felt and Ted Reynolds, two and three oars, respectively.

First Crimson Contest

Princeton and Rutgers have already been under fire this year, the former from the big guns of Navy, who left them two lengths behind last Sat- urday. Rutgers was even more decisivly humiliated by Penn the same day. It will be the first test of the year for M.I.T. and the Crimson.

The Jayvees will also be unveiled to tomorrow, in a preliminary race against the second boats of the same three opponents.

This aggregation takes its stroke from Charlie Rimmer, veteran of several seasons at this key position. Behind him range Albie Carter, George Lodge, Bill Barber, Jim Homans, Nat Ober, Harpo Hanson, and Lou Cox, with Sam King doing the talking from the storn