WEEKS FOOTBRIDGE

Weeks Footbridge is widely regarded as one of the most treacherous portions of the racecourse. In order to be properly positioned for the most efficient path through the bridge on their way to Anderson Bridge, crews must swing wide to starboard while approaching the footbridge, then make a tight turn through the center arch.

It takes an experienced coxswain to execute the turn perfectly. More inexperienced crews may start the turn too soon, with the possible diastrous result of colliding with a boat that had planned the turn more judiciously. Oar clashes are common and provide blood-thirsty spectators, who line the bridge in droves, with plenty to “ooh” and “ahh” about.

"You get a lot of T-boning down there. If the outside crew is more experienced and already turning, they might get rammed by the inside crew."—Lacey Whitmire, coxswain, women’s heavyweight crew

ELIOT BRIDGE

The Eliot Bridge lies in the middle of a 180-degree hairpin turn near the end of the course—just when the crews are most tired. So close to the finish, the Eliot Bridge is the site where many boats attempt a desperate push for more speed or try to outmaneuver their final few opponents.

The turn itself is pretty tricky. Swinging too wide or going too far to starboard (toward the right-hand side) increases the length of the course, costing precious seconds. Collisions are common here, as they are at Weeks, as two or more boats often try to squeeze through the center arch at the same time.

"If people wish rowing was a contact sport, the places to be are the Weeks Footbridge and the Eliot Bridge."—Kit Randolph, coxswain, men's heavyweight eight