Only 0.3 seconds separated the first-place Crimson from third-place Cornell, but the bow-ball margin gave the Crimson a much-sought after Sprints crown and a No. 1 ranking heading into the IRA national championship regatta on June 4.

But that’s when the real streak ended for the Crimson—a string of national titles in every odd year since 1991.

Harvard entered the race as No. 1, which was simply a numerical distinction that did little more than separate six to seven crews capable of taking the national crown.

Though the Crimson boasted a near perfect dual-season record, the varsity had overcome significant deficits in every dual race.

““It’s lightweight racing, so it’s always very tight,” varsity stroke Dan Reid added. “You’re never going to get an easy race.”

The Crimson was indeed in the mix at Camden, but unfortunately for Harvard, it could not engineer another thrilling come-from-behind win at the IRAs.

After a shaky start, the Crimson could not bounce back. Harvard fell to Yale for the first time all season, as the Bulldogs took home the IRA crown in 5:41.89, Cornell came in second in 5:43.39, and Penn finished third in 5:44.71.

Harvard followed in fourth with a time of 5:45.45.

The streak ended at Camden, but the lightweights will look to return to form with a trip to the Henley Royal Regatta in early July.

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