Autumn days of spectacular beauty on the river

For the crew, numbing hours of practice inthe chilled dark currents. All for a few anguishedmoments of competition six months later.They do it, says coach Peter Gardiner,"to win in the spring ... and for the fun of it."

Before putting the boat in the water, an arcane maneuver,there are stadium steps to be run. Fifty-one rows up,fifty-one rows down. Again, please. The coach looks cold.

Before putting the boat in the water, an arcane maneuver,there are stadium steps to be run. Fifty-one rows up,fifty-one rows down. Again, please. The coach looks cold.

Before putting the boat in the water, an arcane maneuver,there are stadium steps to be run. Fifty-one rows up,fifty-one rows down. Again, please. The coach looks cold.

The women practice from seven to nine o'clock.Every morning. In October, seven o'clock inthe boat house (opposite, above) is like seveno' clock in Vladivostock. Outside, rowing, itisn't any better. The men in the shell abovehave it easy, contending only with the foggyafternoon cold. What is more satisfying? Theprecision of the eights or the solitude ofthe scull?

The women practice from seven to nine o'clock.Every morning. In October, seven o'clock inthe boat house (opposite, above) is like seveno' clock in Vladivostock. Outside, rowing, itisn't any better. The men in the shell abovehave it easy, contending only with the foggyafternoon cold. What is more satisfying? Theprecision of the eights or the solitude ofthe scull?

The women practice from seven to nine o'clock.Every morning. In October, seven o'clock inthe boat house (opposite, above) is like seveno' clock in Vladivostock. Outside, rowing, itisn't any better. The men in the shell abovehave it easy, contending only with the foggyafternoon cold. What is more satisfying? Theprecision of the eights or the solitude ofthe scull?

The women practice from seven to nine o'clock.Every morning. In October, seven o'clock inthe boat house (opposite, above) is like seveno' clock in Vladivostock. Outside, rowing, itisn't any better. The men in the shell abovehave it easy, contending only with the foggyafternoon cold. What is more satisfying? Theprecision of the eights or the solitude ofthe scull?

The women practice from seven to nine o'clock.Every morning. In October, seven o'clock inthe boat house (opposite, above) is like seveno' clock in Vladivostock. Outside, rowing, itisn't any better. The men in the shell abovehave it easy, contending only with the foggyafternoon cold. What is more satisfying? Theprecision of the eights or the solitude ofthe scull?