“Our team is chomping at the bit because we know it’s going to be a really close race,” Kummer said. “And as far as predictions go, you can hypothesize all day long.”

In both varsity races, Harvard is near the top of every hypothesized list of finishers. The Crimson has overcome considerable deficits against quality dual-competition throughout the season, relying upon a powerful middle 1,000 meters to erase any deficit off of the start. The second varsity overcame near boat-length deficits against Navy and Princeton. The first varsity powered through Yale after yielding four seats in the race’s first 1,000 meters.

Throughout the dual season, crews have looked to shake the Crimson off of the start, and a six-boat setup on Sunday guarantees a furious first 20 strokes for the early advantage. Navy almost always jumps out early, Princeton and Yale pulled ahead of the Harvard boats off of the start, and Georgetown took the early lead from Harvard in the first varsity’s dual race with the Hoyas.

But with Sprints races sometimes decided by a bow ball, Harvard’s experience against a deficit should serve both crews well.

“Even if we’re down at the one thousand,” Schellhorn said, “we’ve come back from big margins there before.”

“When you’re down, you have to maintain confidence,” said junior varsity stroke Dan Reid, “or else that’s just not good racing.”

Harvard can be confident going into Sunday’s races—but not too confident. A stellar dual-season record has put the lightweights in an enviable position.

There are, however, 2,000 important meters separating the varsity from a Sprints title that has eluded them for eight seasons.

And two thousand more meters lie between the second varsity and a second consecutive undefeated season capped with a Sprints crown.

Six minutes—probably less—to eradicate an eight-year drought. Six minutes to another title for the second varsity.

“The heavies have led the way with some incredible results over the last couple of years,” Reid said. “If we could contribute to that, we would make Newell Boathouse proud.”

Six minutes to prove that the target is right where it belongs—and there to stay.

—Staff writer Aidan E. Tait can be reached at atait@fas.harvard.edu.