The Head Of The Charles® Regatta, now in its 38th year is the largest 2-day rowing regatta the world and the premier autumn rowing event in the United States. On October 19th and 20th, 2002, a record 7000 athletes in more than 1460 boats will chase each other down the 3 mile course. More than 300,000 screaming fans will line the banks and bridges of the Charles River to watch the competition and enjoy the beauty of the fall in the Northeast. The Championship Eight event will prove fiercely competitive. A select group of National Teams fresh from 2002 FISA World Rowing Championships held last month in Seville, Spain will compete. The World Champion United States Women's 8, will be challenged by German and Canadian National Teams. Top University programs from North America will chase them. Silver and bronze men's crews from Germany and United States will settle a heated battle left in Europe.
International crews from 17 countries will participate. Sixty-five entries from competitive, club and university teams from Australia, Belarus, Bulgaria, Canada, Germany, Guatemala, Great Britain, Italy, Mexico, Nigeria, Turkey, and South Africa will round out the competitive field. A new event has been added to the Head Of The Charles® Regatta. The Men's and Women's Collegiate Eights will feature Division II and III schools. It was created to absorb the growth of entries from colleges and universities with recently created rowing programs.
CLUB & COLLEGIATE EVENTS
Women's Club Eights, Event #1W: This event will be the battle between returning champions University of Tennessee and University of Cincinnati who were one (1) second behind last year's champions. These crews will be chased close behind by a host of top local area crews Boston Masters Women (MA), Wesleyan University (CT), Smith College (MA) and Holy Cross College (MA). This is a very competitive field with the top 25 teams finishing within 5% of the 2001 winners thus ensuring them a guaranteed entry for this year. Men's Club Eights, Event #1M: An arsenal of international clubs and US universities will highlight this very competitive event. The solid mix of top international clubs will be squaring off include ASR Nereus (NED), who placed third last year, Frankfuter Rudergesellschaft Germania (GER), 7th last year and Istanbul's own Fenerbahce Spor Kulub (TUR). Also a stout regime of newcomers Reale Circolo Cantottieri (ITA), Club Espana R.C. (MEX), Ulmer RC Donau (GER), Don Rowing Club (CAN), Abingdon School Boat (GBR), Cork Boat Club (IRL) and Nigeria's Helena Sports Club (NGR). A contingent from Cambridge, England Black Prince Boat Club (GBR) and Boar's Head Boat Club (GBR) should provide some competitive firepower. But the returning top university finishers Harvard University (MA) and Ohio State University (OH) along with top US club finishers Potomac BC (DC) and Fat Cat (NJ, Princeton Alumni) will not be eclipsed by the international field.
Women's Club Fours Event #2W: Fifty-four boats will be passing, crashing, and yelling in a frantic attempt to get some kind of an advantage over the rest. Saugatuck Rowing Club (CT) will start first and push hard to get away from the melee behind of 2001's top finishers and local favorites Purple Bull Roklub (MA - Williams College), Boston Master's Women (MA) and University of Vermont (VT). Washington College (MD), South Chicago RC (IL) and Northwestern University (IL) should be strong performers. International crews to the event will be ready to face off, Helena Sports Club (NGR) from Nigeria, Halifax Rowing Club (CAN) and Ottowa Rowing Club (CAN).
Men's Club Fours Event #2M: In 2001, there was 11 seconds between the 4th through 11th place crews. Last year Boston's own Union Boat Club (MA) lead the field over Ottawa RC (CAN) by 4 seconds, both will be returning to retest themselves for the top position. Competitive club competition can be seen all along last years results Lincoln Park Boat Club (IL) beat Wilmington Rowing Center (DE) by just over 2 seconds to earn 5th place. A Charles River battle is brewing between Cambridge Boat Club (MA) and Harvard Business School BC (MA), as these crews were just under 3 seconds apart last year. Also to note, last year 25 crew placed within 5% of the winners, these crews will indeed be extending their limits to raise their placement in the standings.
Men's Club Single, Event #3M: The field of sixty-seven is wide open. Scullers to watch in this category are: Kerim Ertug (Potomac Boat Club, DC), Blair Crawford (Cambridge Boat Club, MA), and Dino Konstantopoplus (Riverside Boat Club, MA). This event is often used as a proving ground for future World Champions and Olympians. A special medal will be awarded to the most competitive youth oarsmen in this event.
Women's Club Single, Event #3W: The thirty-nine competitors in this event will row for the Peggy Hawes Trophy. Abby Loughrey (Stanford University, CA) was third overall last year and the fastest youth (under 20) sculler in the event last year. She returns to the event this year after spending her summer with the U.S. Junior National Team at the Junior World Championships in Trakai, Lithuania. Men's Master Double, Event #4M: The double Marc Gwadz and Ad Bax (Potomac BC - DC), stormed down the 3 mile course and set their names in the record books last year. The duo left the perennial Master's Doubles way back and crushed the record by 22 seconds. John Christiansen and Paul Lambert (Pocock Rowing Center - WA) will follow second. Steve Hathaway and Craig Leeds (California Yacht Club - CA), first in 2000 will start third. Greats from early years of the Head Of The Charles® Regatta are Tiff Wood and Gregg Stone (Rude and Smooth Boat Club - MA) and set the previous course record in 1994. Fred Schoch, the Regatta's executive director, will team up with former Soviet rower Nikolay Kurmakov (Cambridge Boat Club - MA). Horacio Frydman and Jaimi Rubini (Team Rubini - VA) are known for crafting fine races year after year because Jaimi is master jeweler. Two father/son doubles in this event are Charlie Braun and Bill Braun (Western Reserve RA - OH) and Cambridge Boat Club's own Charles and Pete Peterson (Cambridge Boat Club - MA).
Women's Master Double, Event #4W: Lake Meritt RC (CA) Kristen Thorsness and DeDe Birch drove a stake in the heart of the course record last year. The composite crew of St. Catharines Rowing Club's Margarita Jekabsons and Lincoln Park's Lisa Wright will start second and Rivanna RC's (VA) Trina Olin Santry and Gia De Angelis will chase third. Potomac Boat Club's double of Kate Dowling and Cynthia Cole are also contenders. All these crews broke the record but Lake Meritt pruned the most 22 seconds, off the 1997 record mark. Look for the duo Sharon Mallett and Diane Deluca from Grand Rapids RC (MI) and composite double from Fairmount/Vesper BC (PA) of Gabrielie Cipollone, 1976 Olympian for the former Federal Republic of Germany and Karen Lewis to perform well.
Men's Collegiate Eights, Event #5M: This new event features Division II and III schools and Division I Freshman/Novice Crews. It was created to absorb the growth of entries from colleges and universities with recently created rowing programs. The competition in this event will feature crews from Colgate University (NY), who placed 2nd in the Avaya Collegate Championships last spring. Keep Orange Coast College (CA) and University of New Hampshire on your radar as they have performed well at the Charles in past years.
Women's Collegiate Eights, Event #5M: The new event, a very competitive line up of women's crews will display racing savvy. The Wildcats of Villanova University (PA), Blue Hens of University of Delaware and the Buckeyes of Ohio State University are sure to be in top form. Trinity College and University of Connecticut, central Connecticut rivals, will hash it out on the Charles River. Queen's University will join the regatta from Ontario, Canada.
CHAMPIONSHIP SINGLES
Men's Championship Single, Event #6M: Aquil Abdullah (US National Team) placed 11th, in the men's single at the 2002 FISA World Rowing Championship in Seville, Spain. In 2000, he is the first African-American to win the coveted Diamond Sculls at the Henley Royal Regatta in England. This Washington D.C. native and graduate of George Washington University is the first African American single sculler to represent the United States National Rowing Team and has numerous U.S. National Championships to his name. Aquil is a consummate saxophone player and has played with great acts as James Brown and G-Love and Special Sauce. Aquil, a renaissance man, has also written a book, PerfectBalance, about his quest to make the U.S. Olympic Team.
Diederik Simon (Netherlands National Team) is 6-foot-5 inches and 192 lbs rows for A.S.R. Nereus rowing club. His international results are as follows: 2000 Sydney Olympic Games Silver Medallist, Men's Quadruple Sculls... 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games Gold Medallist, Men's Open 8. Finished 5th in the Men's four without coxwain at the 2002 FISA World Rowing Championships in Seville, Spain... He placed 2nd in the Mens Quadruple sculls in the 2001 FISA World Rowing Championships Lucerne, Switzerland.
Juri Jaansen (Estonian National Team) the waterman hero from Estonia travels to Boston for the second time this fall. Juri, at 6' 2" and 200 lbs., is seasoned veteran of the World rowing circuit, since 1989 and one of Europe's most decorated rowers. He is legally deaf, the men's single sculls world champion in 1993 and a World Record holder for 2000 meters in the single from1995-1999 at 6:37.0
Duncan Free (Australian National Team), a 1996 Olympic Bronze Medallist, winner of the Lawrence Curtis Trophy and a two time winner of the Charles Schwab Championship Sprint at Head Of The Charles. Won Diamond Sculls at the 2000 Henley Royal Regatta in England… Finished fourth in the single sculls at the 2001 FISA World Rowing Championships in Lucerne, Switzerland…Finished fourth in the men's quadruple sculls at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia…Won the bronze medal in the men's quadruple sculls at the 1999 FISA World Rowing Championships in St. Catharines, Canada. Duncan's interests include BMX, water-skiing and surfing. His motto is "Don't beat those behind you, pass the ones in front of you.
Stephan Volkert (German National Team) 30 year old from Cologne, Germany stands 6'7" and weighs 215 lbs. Stature and weight helped win the bronze medal in the men's Quadruple sculls at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney Australia…And was the Olympic Gold Medallist in Atlanta Olympics in 1996 and Gold Medallist in Barcelona, Spain 1992. His will and drive have been proved over and over with 6 world championship gold medals and 16 international medals since 1992.
Jonathon Beare (Rowing Canada), Jon is a current member of the Canadian National Rowing Team who came 4th in the recent FISA World Rowing Championships in Men's Lightweight pair and winner of last year's Championship Double.
Steve Tucker (United States National Team) is the 2002 FISA World Rowing Championships, Bronze Medallist in the Men's Lightweight Single Sculls. This Mooresville, Indiana native and graduate of MIT literally 'makes' him home in Medford, MA. He renovates his home. At 5-foot-9 inches and weighing 155 lbs. one might think he cannot keep up with the larger bodied singles scullers. But last year he 'schooled' the field once again with a second place finish in the Championship Single. Steve finished 11th in the lightweight double sculls at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia. Aleks Zoslus (Union Boat Club - Boston), winner of last year's Head Of The Charles Lightweight Single, has decided to race with in the Championship event with rowers who will out-weigh him by 40-60 lbs.
Michael Perry (Union Boat Club - Boston) placed 5th by less than one second in last years Championship Single. Michael crushed the competition in the Championship Single at this summer's Canadian Henley Royal Regatta.
Kent Smack (Riverside Boat Club), former U.S. National Team member, finished fourth in the Championship Single last year. Kent won the Club Single in 1999.
Women's Championship Single, Event #6W:
Carol Skricki (United States National Team) won the Cambridge Boat Club Trophy last year in the Championship Single and placed second in the Charles Schwab Championship Sprint at Head Of The Charles® Regatta. She is eager to regain her presence in the race for cash. Carol led the U.S. women's quadruple sculls, a boat that hadn't medaled for the US since 1993, to a bronze medal in 2001. She was a member of the 1998, 1999 and 2001 National Teams as well as the 2000 Olympic Team. She finished sixth at the Head Of The Charles® Regatta in 1998, and fourth in 1999 and 2000. Carol began rowing at the age of 30 at Community Rowing Inc. in Boston and is the only women to win the Club Single then the Championship Single at the HOCR. She is from Norwood, Massachusetts.
Katrin Rutschow-Stomporowski (German National Team) from Waren, Germany has rowed the single scull for Germany since 1997. She was undefeated in the German quadruple sculls in 1994-1996, which includes an Olympic gold medal in 1996. Katrin is the bronze medallist in the Women Single Scull at the 2002 FISA World Rowing Championships in Seville, Spain and returned from the 2000 Sydney Olympics with a Bronze medal. Last year she won gold medal in the women's single scull at the 2001 FISA World Rowing Championships in Lucerne, Switzerland. Katrin is a fashion designer in Berlin and enjoys Cinema.
Ekaterina Karsten (Belarussia National Team) Karsten is one of the rowing world's most decorated athletes. Her international medal collection is astounding, highlighted by the gold medals in the 1x both in 2000 and 1996 Olympics. Last year, she placed third in the Head Of The Charles Regatta and won the Charles Schwab Championship Sprint. Rumyana Neykova (Bulgaria National Team) 27 year old 5 foot 11 inch 175 lbs competitor, won a silver medallist at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games in a photo finish final with above athlete Ekaterina Karsten... These same two women had a photo finish in the 1990 Junior World Rowing Championships in Aiguebelette, France. Took 2001 competitive season off of have a baby (boy)... She was not only a gold medallist in the women's single scull at the 2002 FISA World Rowing Championships Seville, Spain but set world record for the event.
Laurel Korholtz (US National Rowing Team) is one of the more decorated oarswomen from the US team. Laurel has a string of National Team appearances and a top drawer full of international medals in both sculling and sweep events. Laurel's endurance and longevity put her in the US Women's Double at the 2002 FISA World Rowing Championships.
Cindy Bishop (Riverside Boat Club-MA) finished fourth last year in this event. Look for her to challenge for a spot in the Charles Schwab Championship Sprint.
Stacey Borgman (United States National Team) from Homer, Alaska enters this event after a summer spent in the U.S. National Team's lightweight double. She will compete against her boat mate Mary Obidinski.
Lisa Schlenker (United States National Team) Lake Oswego, Oregon native comes away from her 5th National Team competition and placed 2nd at the 2002 FISA World Rowing Championships, her second silver medal in the Lightweight Women's Single. She is the current World Record holder for the 2000-meter Concept II ergometer. Mary Obidinski (United States National Team) from Oneonta, NY, the recent US National member placed 7th in the Lightweight Women Double at the FISA World Rowing Championships in Seville, Spain and 10th in 2001 World Rowing Championships. She was 6th last year in this event.
VETERAN SINGLES
Men's Senior Veteran Single, Event #7M: Seventy-one-year-old Richard Kendall (South Niagra RC, Canada) won the Wade Trophy rowing a record time of 20:31.75. Eighty-year-old David Challinor (Potomac Boat Club, DC) is a Senior Scientist Emeritus for the Smithsonian Institute and will row his 30th Head Of The Charles this year, he holds the previous course record and has won his age group 17 times. Ted Sprauge (Corning, NY), Stuyvesant Pell (University Barge Club, PA) and Hartley Rogers (Charles River Rowing Association, MA) will start near the front and are expected to push the leaders.
Women's Senior Veteran Single, Event #7W: Marjarie Burgard (Kittery Point, ME) will defend her title against a single challenger, Mary Elizabeth Stone (Berkeley Rowing Club, CA). Stone will attempt to recapture her 1998 title. Barbara Johnson (Carnegie Lake RA, NJ) has also proved herself on the Charles River in the past.
Men's Veteran Single, Event #8M: Christopher 'Kit' Collins (Rivanna Rowing, VA) doesn't need the age time adjustment to win this event. 'Kit' a 1998 angioplasty survivior, crushed the course record by a whopping 47 seconds last year. Carlo Zezza (Narragansett Boat Club, RI) will be in the hunt starting second and was just off winning pace last year. Harry Parker, Harvard's legendary coach, had a strong sixth place finish so look for improvement from this great competitor. Fifty competitors will be vying for the Jerome Olrich Trophy.
Women's Veteran Single, Event #8W: Barbara Green (Narragansett Boat Club, RI) won this event last year. Brooke Stevens (Cambridge Boat Club, MA) who finished 3 seconds behind in 2001, will be in pursuit again.
YOUTH EVENTS
Men's Youth Four, Event #9M: A solid mix of 19 and under athletes from high school, clubs and first year College and University students. Princeton University will start first for the second year in a row followed by again The Gunnery School (CT) and Yale University (CT). St. Johns H.S. (MA) and Lyme/Old Lyme HS (CT) will settle matters again, a mere 2 seconds separated these two crews last year. The top US clubs youth crews are Detroit BC (MI), South Niagara RC (NY) and Sammamish RA (WA). Germany's Bayer Leverkusen (GER) club and Hanlan BC (CAN) will also be gunning it down the course for recognition among the US youth crews
Women's Youth Four, Event #9W: 1.4 seconds separated the top crew Princeton University and second place Syracuse University last year. Northeastern University was not far behind in 5th place. Top High School crews include Loyola Academy RA () 3rd last year, Derryfield School (CT), Shaker RA (PA) and St. Catharines RC (CAN).
Men's Youth Eight, Event #11M: Harvard under the label Charles River Rowing Association won this event for the third year in a row. Their closest competitor over three miles in 2001 was Northeastern University. In his inaugural year, Seth Brennan took the Huskies to second place but has recently moved to coach the Quakers of University of Pennsylvania who placed 8th last year. A West Coast high school rivalry will be played out, Oregon Rowing Unlimited, 3rd in 2001 outpaced Seattle's Green Lake Crew by 2 seconds. International crews include South Africa's St. Benedicts College (RSA), returning form 11th place in 2001, Abingdon School (GBR), Homberger Roklub (GER) and Frankfuter Rudergesellschaft Germania (GER). A competitive push on the field will be lead by Philadelphia rowing powerhouse St. Joseph Prepatory (PA), 5th place in 2001, Marin BC (CA) and Northern Virginia RC (VA).
Women's Youth Eight, Event #11W: Bostonians from Community Rowing Inc., locally known as CRI, last fall defeated Radcliffe College (MA) who row out of the stately Weld Boathouse. CRI rows out of the MDC's Daly Ice Rink just up river. Canadians from St. Catharines RC (CAN) were third, and have set the standard by owning the course record held since 1997. Challengers include Yale University (CT) and University of Virginia (VA). High School crews worth noting are Notre Dame Academy (IL) and Simsbury HS (CT). Oregon Rowing Unlimited, comprised of Portland area high school rowers, has finished in the top ten the past four years. Argonaut RC (CAN) and Leander Boat Club (CAN) will certainly try to press into the top spots.
MASTER EVENTS
Men's Grand Master Single, Event #10: Last year, the margin of victory for Kari Juurakko (Western Rowing Club, ONT) over Al Flanders (Cambridge Boat Club, MA) was just under 2 seconds. This year they'll start first and second respectively. University of Massachusetts-Amherst coach Jim Dietz, a three-time Olympian, will also put the pressure on Kari and Al. He finished third last year. Bob Spousta (Potomac Boat Club, DC) also returns this year after taking last year off. Bob won the event in 1999 and 2000. Rob Slocum (Norwalk RC), six seconds out of first last year, will tap his Boston Marathon and Iron Man triathlon capacities down the course. Sixty-one singles will compete for the Mowatt Trophy this year.
Women's Grand Master Single, Event #10W: Can anyone beat Linda Kennett of Putney, VT? She will be back to defend her 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2001 titles. In addition, she holds the course record for this event and last year's second place finisher was almost a minute behind…in short-she has owned this event. Catherine Kemper, the runner-up, in this event last year from San Diego's ZLAC Rowing Club will be back to close the gap.
Men's and Women's Senior Master Single, Event #13: Fifty-nine competitors will compete in this event, which is a sign that master rowing is thriving. Last year, the top five finishers in this event were within ten seconds of each other. Jamie Gordon (Schuylkill River Development Council, PA), will be back again this year to defend his title. Look to John Tracey (Riverside Boat Club, MA), Richard Lewis (Potomac Boat Club, DC), David Gleeson (Newport Aquatic Center, CA) and Dennis Ruane (Riverside Boat Club, MA) to challenge.
Judy Geer (Motley Rowing Club, VT) never seems to slow down. Last year, she beat the course record she set in 1997. Her winning margin was 23 seconds last year. Gail Helfer (Potomac Boat Club, DC), starts second and will challenge the record. Watch for C.B. Sands-Bohrer (Cambridge Boat Club, MA), a 1989 Lightweight World Champion for the U.S. National Team
Men's Master Four, Event #12M: There are 40 crews in the Master Four divison. Last year's victor, 1980 Rowing Club will start in front of the Palm Beach RA who have placed in the top two since 2000 with Rocky Mountain RC (CO) starting third. New Haven Rowing Club (CT) and Seattle's strength from Pocock Rowing Center (WA) have been solid contenders for the title in past years. The international field should prove to be quite strong as in years past, Mosley BC (GBR), Club Espana A.C. (MEX), the Royal Boat Club of the Maas (NED) and Circolo Canottieri Tevere Remo (ITA). Always look out for the ever savvy Team Attager.
Women's Master Four, Event #12W: Last year, Alabama Crew (AL) dethroned the 2000 winners Saugatuck RC (CT). A great contest from last years results, Dresdner Ruderverein (GER) placed third just ahead of Duluth RC (IA), Boston Masters Women and Swan Creek RC (NJ). All these top crews will test their wills to push up last year's standings.
Men's Master Eight, Event #14M: Leander Boat Club (CAN) took the title for the second year in a row and thrashed the course record by 13 seconds. A domestic challengers will include 1980 RC, the previous course record holder (1997), Pennsylvania Athletic Club (Penn AC), Palm Beach RA (FL) and Occoquan BC (VA) will not relent in this year's battle. Vesper Boat Club (PA) will be putting their club's motto to the test, 'Blood on the Water', with group of seasoned masters and US National Team 'has-beens.' International crews from Oxford University Boat Club (GBR), Crabtree Boat Club (GBR) and Dynamo Berlin (GER) should not be underestimated.
Women's Master Eight, Event #14W: Long Beach RA, last year beat the field and broke the course record, held by Potomoc BC (DC) since 1997, by over 12 seconds. Well trained crews, who placed last year from Etas Unis RC, 1980 RC (1980 US Olympic Alums), Lake Union Crew (WA) and Narragansett BC (RI) will grind up the course in pursuit of the title and a new record.
Men's Master Single, Event #15M: : Tom Bohrer (Union Boat Club, MA), two-time U.S. Olympic Silver Medallist, defends his title in this event. He won last year by almost 40 seconds. Former U.S. Lightweight National members Matthew Collins (Quinsigamond RC, MA), Michael Dreher (Durham Boat Club, NH), Steve Gantz (Potomac BC, DC) and James Manson (Cambridge Boat Club, MA) will give chase.
Women's Master Single, Event #15W: Ellen Kennely (Cambridge Boat Club, MA) lost last year's race due to a penalty violation for missing a buoy. Linda Muri (MIT BC, MA), last year's winner and former Lightweight World Champion for the U.S. National Team, will try to repeat her victory. Also challenging for the win will be 2000 Olympic Bronze medal winner Christine Collins (Quinsigamond RA, MA) and Trish Miles (University of Dayton, OH).
LIGHTWEIGHT EVENTS
Men's Lightweight Four, Event #16M: The crew from Western Rowing Club (CAN) showed their supremacy last year and took the title away from US National Team members from the USRowing Crew. Undine Barge (PA) came third over King's Crown RA (Columbia University) and Frankfuter Rudergesellschaft Germania (GER). US collegate crews to watch will be U.S. Naval Academy (MD), Minnesota Rowing Bison and Fordham University (NY). Amatitlan Rowing Club from Guatemala will bring some heat to the Lightweight 4.
Women's Lightweight Four, Event #16W: Undine Boat Club will defend the City of Cambridge Cup. Colleges and clubs from will challenge. Look for Chicago Rowing Center (IL), Don RC (ONT), University of Wisconsin (WI) and Argonauts RC (CAN) to be fast.
Men's Lightweight Single, Event #17M With Aleks Zosuls (Union Boat Club, MA) racing in the Championship Single this year, the lightweight event is wide open. Look for Richard Montgomery (Undine Barge Club, PA), second place last year by less than a second, as the favorite. Challenges will come from Kevin McDonnell (Riverside Boat Club, MA), Judah Rome (Lake Lanier Rowing Club, GA), Doug Sanders (Potomac Boat Club, DC) and Jan Weissenberger (California Rowing Association, CA).
Women's Lightweight Single, Event #17W: Single sculler Gen Meredith (Montreal Rowing Club) won last year's event starting from the back of the pack. She'll have her hands full with challenges from the north and present lightweight 2x teammate, Shona McLaren and former 9 year of the Canadian National Team member Rachel Starr and Mara Jones (Argonaut BC, CAN) are sure to be fast. Catherine Salomone (Union Boat Club, MA) is a local favorite.
Men's Lightweight Eight, Event #18M: Yale University (CT) attacked the course year last and won the Boston Herald Trophy. Look for a showdown between Yale and U.S Naval Academy (MD). This bitter rivalry was cast last spring when the Bulldogs narrowly defeated the Midshipmen at the Collegiate National Championships. Princeton (NJ) and Harvard Universities (MA) should be also be pressing for the top spots. The New York Athletic Club (NY) will undoubtedly put together a fast boat of US National Team members. International crews from Brock University (CAN), 3rd last year will boat a quick lineup.
Women's Lightweight Eight, Event # 18W: University of Wisconsin (WI) beat out Riverside Boat Club of Cambridge, last year, on their home course to capture the City of Boston Trophy. Look for more street fighting among spring rival Universities. Wisconsin Badgers, Princeton Tigers and locals from Radcliffe College (MA) are not afraid to draw first blood and set the stage for next spring' season. Ontario, Canada's Western Boat Club will be in the mix.
CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM EVENTS
Men's Championship Double, Event #19M: The Cromwell Trophy is the Men's Championship Double prize. It is presented in memory of Seymour Cromwell, National and International sculling champion and Cambridge Boat Club member. Second runners-up from the USRowing Team and University of Washington Alumns Steve Gillespie from the US Men's Double and Erik Miller, US Lightweight Men's Eight will duel Hendrixkx and Smulders from Belgium in their third attempt at the Trophy. The do not discount the second USRowing duo Wyatt Allen and Michael Callahan from the 2002 US Mens 4x. Two doubles of brothers are sure to direct their sibling rivalries down the course, brothers Coveny, Ian and Kyle and twins brothers Klingsporn, Greg and Jeff.
Women's Championship Double, Event #19W: Expect all Championship events to be stellar this year with the FISA World Rowing Championships ending only a few weeks ago. The duo Kelly Salchow and Hilary Gehman will return to defend the Craig Swayze Trophy. The tandem, from the 2002 US Women's 2x and 4x respectively blew the field away last year by 25 seconds last year. Western RC (ONT), placed 3rd last year and will put together the same double of Kathy Eggenberger and Jane Rumball. Look for the solid double from Potomic BC (DC) to fare well with Kristin Goodrich and Katie Madigan. Local Brightonians Heather Moon and Maria Picone, were 4th last year rowing under the Italian organization of Rari Nantes Patavium (ITL).
Men's Championship Fours, Event #20M: USRowing crew with two Lightweight Olympians led the rest field by 15 seconds for a sixth straight title of the Schaefer Cup. University of Technology, Sydney (AUS) second last year will be back to do battle with a studded field of international crews from Homberger RK (GER), Crabtree Boat Club (GBR), Istanbul's Fenerbahce Spor Kulub (TUR) and the ever notorious Black Sheep Rowing Club (GBR). Competitive collegiate teams to watch are Camp Randall Rowing (University of Wisconsin), Princeton and Brown Universities. Pennsylvania Athletic Club (Penn AC) and Vesper Boat Club, both of Philadelphia's Historic Boathouse Row, will continue their storied rivalry at this years regatta.
Women's Championship Fours, Event #20W: The German team from Frankfruter Rudergesellschaft Germania (GER) beat USRowing (US National team) to win the Barnes Plate. This year's Head Of The Charles® Regatta will prove to be more competitive with London Training Center (Canadian National Team) and another German crew from RG Wetzlar. The international field would be wrong to think they are above the Universities in speed. A band of menacing crews from University of Michigan, Brock University (CAN), Cornell and Yale Universities have performed well in the past and could easily spoil the leader's party.
Men's Championship Eight, Event # 21W: The six-time Head Of The Charles® champions U.S. National Rowing Team (USRowing) will defend against 2002 silver medal Germany (Deutscher Ruderverband). The Germans beat the U.S. this summer, at the FISA World Rowing Championship, for the silver medal and will start right behind on the Charles. Cambridge University Boat Club (GBR), The Tideway Sculler (GBR) and Crabtree Boat Club (GBR) will round out the international field from Great Britain. Expect collegiate crews to be in top form from Northeastern (MA), Harvard University (MA), University of California, Berkley (CA), 2002 IRA Collegiate National Champions, University of Wisconsin (WI), 2002 ERAC Eastern Sprints Champions and Princeton University (US). And from down under, Sydney Universi
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