Racing in a borrowed shell, a Radcliffe crew defeated fours from MIT and Wellesley Saturday over a 1000 meter course on the Charles.

Radcliffe was almost forced to withdraw from the competition when they were unable to find a shell in which to race. Harvard refused to lend the 'Cliffe a four, but Radcliffe coach Garret Oimstead was finally able to borrow a shell from MIT.

At the start, the Radcliffe crew, stroked by Charlotte Crane, with Martha McDaniel at three. Dorothy Hornes at two, and Julie Meck at bow, found itself one length behind Wellesley and MIT's A and B boats. Coxswain Ken Oei settled the crew at a 35 stroke and then watched as the 'Cliffe moved up on and then powered by its three rivals.

By the 750 meter mark, the 'Cliffe had a length of open water. It brought the stroke down to a 33 and pushed the margin to three lengths over its nearest foe, MIT's A shell.

Radcliffe finished the course in 3:51, while the MIT boats finished second and third with the A shell turning in a 4:03 and the B crew a 4:09. Wellesley, which only races in fours as opposed to eights, held down the fort in last place with a 4:21, almost eight lengths behind the 'Cliffe.

This Sunday the Radcliffe eight is entered in the Eastern Women's Intercollegiates at Old Lyme, Conn.