The Harvard men's varsity heavyweight crew team won its sixth National Collegiate Rowing Championship in 11 years, beating Dartmouth to the finish line by just .29 seconds.

"We won by three or four inches," said Head Coach Harry Parker. "It was about as close as crew races can get."

Judges used television replays to decide the final outcome of the race, which took place June 13 on Cincinnati's Lake Harsha.

Victory for the Crimson was especially sweet since the crew had suffered its only loss in an otherwise perfect season to the undefeated Big Green. Harvard had faced Dartmouth at the Eastern Sprints in May.

With a fast pace set by junior stroke Bill Cooper, Harvard completed the Lake Harsha course in 5:33.97.

"It was an exceptional effort on the part on the Harvard crew," Parker said.

The victory in Cincinnati followed the Crimson's victory over Yale at the 127th Harvard Regatta, Held on June 6 in New London, Conn.

Parker said he has high hopes for next year's season.

"We're excited about the prospects in that we lose only one member," he said

At Cincinnati, the Radcliffe novice women's four also won a national championship.