California qualified its varsity 8+ boat for Friday's semifinal round on the morning of the opening day of the 10th annual IRA Regatta on Thursday at Lake Natoma in Gold River, Calif. The Golden Bears advanced out of the first varsity 8+ heat with the best time of the morning (5:51.50) to defeat four teams, including second-place Cornell (5:55.96). Cal's second varsity 8+ also won its heat and will advance directly to its Saturday grand final. The Bears' other boats - the novice 8+, open 4+ and varsity 4+ - finished second in their respective heats and will move on to the repechage rounds to try and reach the grand finals of their events. More...