SEQUIM, Wash. — They were the scrappy University of Washington squad who beat Hitler’s team for gold at the 1936 Olympics, and the team whose story has been told in the bestselling book and hit movie, “The Boys in the Boat.” But the boys couldn’t do it without the boat.
“That was the sweetest boat I’ve ever rowed in. And I’ve rowed in hundreds,” said former Pacific Lutheran University rower Jim Ojala.
In 1966, Ojala and his PLU crew inherited the famed “Husky Clipper” 30 years after it had won Olympic Gold and outlived its usefulness at the University of Washington.
“My first stroke was taken on my 19th birthday in the seventh seat of the Husky Clipper,” Ojala said. “The Husky Clipper."
The battered beauty, built by the famed George Pocock, still had some life left in her.
“Our little crew set an American Lake record that stood for 30 years,” Ojala said.
Ojala is now an author who’s co-written the memoirs of Seattle radio legend Pat O’Day and Pocock’s son, Stan. Although his racing days came decades after the original “Boys in the Boat’s” victory in Berlin, watching the film put Ojala right back in that seat.
“The movie captured it perfectly,” Ojala said as he left the theater. “I got shivers. My eyes still haven’t dried out from all the tears. It was wonderful.”
Ojala was the last rower to ever occupy the seat once held by the movie’s hero, Joe Rantz.
“In the Husky Clipper’s final competitive race before she was retired,” he added.
The refurbished shell is now safe and sound back at the University of Washington, serving as an inspiration to new generations of athletes, a gift from the boys and the man who built the boat.
“That was a work of art and an act of love,” Ojala said. “He was proud of that boat and he was proud of those boys.”
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