The Ithaca women’s crew team opened up their 2011 spring season with wins over the University of Rochester and Rochester Institute of Technology on Saturday at Cayuga Inlet.

The first women’s varsity 8 won their race with a time of 7:08.90 seconds, beating the University of Rochester who finished in 7:29.90 seconds and Rochester Institute of Technology who finished with a time of 7:36.80 seconds.

The second women’s varsity 8 also won their race against the University of Rochester and Rochester Institute of Technology with a time of 7:34.10. The women’s varsity 8 finished with a time of 7.58.60.

Although senior captain Jine Andreozzi was pleased with her boat’s performance, sophomore Rachel Mevissen said the South Hill squad needed to work on cleaning up their start to the races.

“I think we need to work on racing at a higher stroke rate,” she said. “But it’s definitely getting better.”

Andreozzi said another thing that the Blue and Gold needed to work on was getting more strokes in during the last 250-300 meters of the race.

Mevissen said the wins were the result of synchronization with the rowers in front and in back of her.

“It’s all about being together and making sure I’m in line with the person in front and behind me,” she said.

Sophomore Danielle Niakaros stressed the importance of smooth turning. She said she felt in sync with the other rowers in her boat.

“I definitely felt more connected,” she said. “We moved as one boat and one person.”

The Bombers are currently ranked second in the Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association poll, and will go up against St. Lawrence and Skidmore in their next regatta Saturday on Cayuga Inlet.