Feb. 28, 2002

CHAPEL HILL, N.C.--The University of North Carolina rowing team will open its spring season of competition on Saturday with its only home event, hosting Duke for the Carolina Dash. Racing begins at 9 a.m. at University Lake.

The competition consists of three 1,000-meter races in each of the various boat classes: varsity eight, second varsity eight, novice eight, varsity four and novice four. Each boat will launch, race and row back to the start to race again. Once launched, the crew remains on the water for all three of its races.

There is no charge for admission to the Carolina Dash, and the first 100 spectators will receive free UNC Women in Sports Spring Tour t-shirts.

The women's racing will continue through 11:30 a.m., after which the Duke and UNC men's club teams will compete.

Racing schedule (tentative)
9:00 Varsity Four (Duke Only)
9:10 Novice Four
9:20 Second Varsity Eight
9:30 Varsity Four (Duke Only)
9:40 Novice Four
9:50 Second Varsity Eight
10:00 Varsity Four (Duke Only)
10:10 Novice Four
10:20 Second Varsity Eight
10:30 Novice Eight
10:40 Varsity Eight
10:50 Novice Eight
11:00 Varsity Eight
11:10 Novice Eight
11:20 Varsity Eight

Directions to the UNC Boathouse at University Lake in Carrboro:
(Please note: Parking is extremely limited. Carpooling is appreciated!)

From Chapel Hill:
Take Franklin Street west toward Carrboro, in Carrboro, Franklin turns into Main Street and then Jones Ferry Road. After passing under NC54, take a left turn at the second stop light, at the top of the hill, onto Old Fayetteville Road. Your first right is the access road to University Lake. Please follow the directions on signs and from volunteers as to where to park.

From Durham or Raleigh:
From Durham or I-40 take NC54 West. Once in Chapel Hill, you will take the NC54 bypass (it's a right-hand on-ramp to make what is effectively a left onto the bypass). Take the Jones Ferry Road exit, turn left at the light at the end of the ramp, after passing under NC54, take a left turn at the second stop light, at the top of the hill, onto Old Fayetteville Road. Your first right is the access road to University Lake. Please follow the directions on signs and from volunteers as to where to park.

From the West:
Approaching on I-85/I-40, in Graham take the exit for NC54. You will follow 54 for approximately 20 miles before approaching Carrboro -- on your right as you climb the hill into Carrboro will be a large rock painted blue and white -- turn right onto Old Fayetteville Road, it's the first stoplight you will have encountered for many miles. After crossing Jones Ferry Road, your first right is the access road to University Lake. Please follow the directions on signs and from volunteers as to where to park.