A Norwegian at the Helm
Ulrik Pharo Lohne, a physics major from Lier, Norway, has been elected captain of Yale's Heavyweight Crew for the 2026‑27 season, becoming the first Norwegian to lead the program's varsity heavyweight squad.
Coach Mike Gennaro highlighted Lohne's fortitude, humility, dedication and professionalism, noting that the young leader has already left a measurable imprint on the team's culture and performance.
Lohne's rowing résumé reads like a study in steady ascent. As a freshman in 2024 he earned a spot in the 1V boat that captured bronze at the Eastern Sprints and placed fifth at the IRA National Championships, and the following year he was named a 2025 Empacher‑IRCA Scholar‑Athlete.
During his sophomore year he rowed in the 2V crew, finishing fifth at the Eastern Sprints and sixth at the IRA Championships, before stepping up to the 1V boat as a junior and posting seventh‑place finishes at both the Eastern Sprints and the IRA regatta.
His most recent milestone came in the 2025‑26 season when he set a new program record on the 2,000‑meter ergometer with a time of 5:45.2, a benchmark that underscores his blend of technical precision and raw power.
Beyond campus, Lohne has represented Norway at the Under‑19 level in 2021 and 2022 and the Under‑23 team in 2023 and 2024, gaining international experience that he says will help guide his teammates into the next chapter.
Reflecting on his appointment, Lohne expressed both honor and a fierce commitment to steer the Bulldogs forward, promising that his leadership will be defined by the same determination that propelled him from the fjords of Norway to the banks of the Housatonic River.