SATURDAY RACES
Club Eight Men Competitors: 50
This event features strong US crews pitted against a stalwart international field. Drummoyne (AUS) will be the top returning crew pursued by two alumni crews, Princeton in the Fat Cat Rowing Club fighting against their old Eastern Sprints rivals, Cornell in the BMA Boat Club. Athlone Boat Club (IRE) was founded in 1835,and is one of the oldest rowing clubs in Ireland.
Club Eights Women Competitors: 38
After winning this race in 2001 and 2002, the University of Tennessee is returning to reclaim their title. Boston Masters Women (MA) and Picnic Point should provide a great race as they finished less than a second apart in last year's race after Picnic Point threaded the field, starting with bow number 43 and finishing in 7th place.
Club Fours Men Competitors: 44
Union Boat Club (MA) returns with a different lineup to defend the title they won last year. They will be challenged by the University of Pittsburgh (PA), Black Prince Boat Club, Pocock Rowing Center (WA), and the University of Chicago (IL) who rounded out the top five finishers last year.
Club Fours Women Competitors: 41
This event will be a fight between the clubs and the universities. Ottawa Rowing Club (CAN) will fight to defend its 2003 title and will be joined by Saugatuck Rowing Club (CT) and Capital Rowing Club (DC) in the club corner while Loyola College (IL) and Wheaton College (IL) will round out the top 5 fighting for the colleges.
Club Singles Men Competitors: 55
Fifty-five boats will battle for the Louis Hawes cup. Joining a strong group of East Coast club rowers, Mateusz Zurowski (Argonaut Rowing Club, CAN) will return to the course that was very good to him last year. Starting with bow number 50, he threaded the field and finished in 6th place. He will have to challenge local Dino Konstantopoulos (Riverside Boat Club, MA) and serious sculler Benjamin Boehm (Augusta Rowing Club, GA), who claims to love the lactic acid burn in his legs and waking up to his whole body aching in the morning.
Club Singles Women Competitors: 40
Winning the Peggy Hawes Cup is an indication of excellence for female club scullers. It also eliminates a sculler from competing in the women's club single the following year. While those who medalled in 2003 won't be returning to this event, this year's bow numbers 1 through 8 are last year's finishers, ranked 6 through 13. Jeanne LeFebvre and Darlene Daigle both would have been in last year's top five had they not accrued penalties along the course. Keep an eye on Anjte Siems, who is relatively new to rowing yet is one of the top female triathletes in New England.
Master Doubles (40+) Men Competitors: 18
Michael Smith and Dan Gorriaran (Potomac Boat Club) will defend their '03 win against a formidable field. Starting in the 2nd position, last years runner up duo of James Dietz and Willie Castle (UMass/Thames River Sculls) will once again be in medals contention. Mr. Dietz is the former US Champion and longtime HOCR competitor-he has won the Champ Singles event seven times! Expect Michael Cataldo and Brad Smith (New York's Kings Crown Rowing Association) to mount a formidable challenge.
Master Doubles (40+) Women Competitors: 20
Leading off are winners from '02 & '03 Trina Olin Santry and Gia De Angelis (Rivanna Rowing Club) Finishing less than 10 seconds behind in last years event are Karen Lewis and Gabi Cipollone (Vesper Boat Club). Kate Dowling and Cynthia Cole (Potomac Boat Club), finishing 3rd in '02 and 6th in '03 will continue their quest for HOCR Gold. From Chicago, Inge Stekl and Fran Tuite (Lincoln Park RC) will have their hands full staying ahead of the 5th crew, Martin and Gilder. Two of the greatest women to ever race the Champ single at HOCR: Anne Martin and Virginia Glider - (Starting in 5th position). Glider has won three titles, including the speed defying 1982 row in 18:45.6-a record which has not been touched in the past twenty-years of racing.
Senior Masters Doubles (50+) Men Competitors: 21
The top 4 starters all finished last year in the top 5 within the same minute.
Leading off, Robert Eldridge and Tom Dryer (CRI/Cincinnati RC) finished last years HOCR with an extremely strong 2nd place showing. Close on their tail are Greg Stone and Tiff Wood (Rude and Smooth Boat Club MA) finished 3th place in last year's Master Doubles race with 1 buoy penalty. They will take their years of experience on the Charles and attempt to dominate the field. Rounding out the front of the pack are John Saxelby and Bob Sproull (Cygnet RC - MA ) John Pauls and Don McSween (Ridley Graduate BC Canada) and Steve Perry & Rock Singewald (Baltimore Rowing Club).
Senior Masters Doubles (50+) Women Competitors: 16
The top 5 finish from last years inaugural running of this event returns for a rematch. Susan Kinne and Joan Linse of Lake Washington RC (WA) are the favorites to repeat and take top honors. The next 3 crews all finished last year within less than 60 secods of Kinne and Linse. Noreen Warren and Deb Klingaman will challenge for the lead. Catherine Kemper and Patricia Pinkerson (San Diego Rowing Club), Nancy Storrs and Christine Schumacker (Ridley Graduate BC Canada) will all vie for strategic advantage.
Master Eights (40+) Men Competitors: 31
This will be a hot race! The Pocock Rowing Center, Occoquan Boat Club (VA) and Penn AC (PA) defeated the '03 winner, Palm Beach RC (FL) by a narrow margin, making this years showdown another quest for Charles River bragging rights. Starting 5th, Vesper Boat Club (PA), 5th in '03 finished less than 30 seconds behind Pocock. Crabtree Boat Club (UK) will make a run at Gold, starting in 8th position.
Master Eights (40+) Women Competitors: 20
Long Beach Rowing Club (CA) raced to a course record in 2001 and came back to reclaim the '03 title over arch rival Etats Unis Rowing Club (MA). Don Rowing Club (CAN) and 1980 Rowing Club will both challenge. Close on the wake of the 1980 Rowing Club, the Pioneer Valley Women's Rowing will mount a strong push to upset Don Rowing to claim top 3 honors.
Senior Master Eights (50+) Men Competitors: 34
Leading off the top five is a rematch from last years first 5 finishers. Grosse Ile RC returns to defend their title over '03 runner up, Mitchell Rowing Club - 2-1/2 lengths back. Leander Boat Club (CAN), a perennial favorite in the Masters eight event, graduated to the new Senior Master event finishing 4 lengths out of the lead. Motley RC will put up a fight along with Willamette Rowing Club (OR) and University Barge Club (PA). Lots of international talent will be present in the field including. Lots of international talent will be present in the field, including Bosporos BC (UK) pushing the top 5 from bow #6. Others include Reale Circolo Canottieri Tevere (Italy), Wallingford Rowing Club (GBR), and Castleconnell RC (Ireland). In the Wallingford Boat, the #2 Oar is John Sutcliffe, Age 79.
Senior Master Eights (50+) Women Competitors: 15
Lake Union Crew (WA) leads off a very fast heat of finishers from '03. Close in tow and giving solid chase are the . Los Gatos RC (CA) and Denver Boat Club (CO). Last year, fiinishing in a dead-heat for 4th,5th & 6th are Boston Masters, Saugatuck RC and Annapolis RC
Championship Doubles Men Competitors: 26
This year's race features a relatively new group of pairings. Watch for Greg Searle, who placed fourth in the men's pair in the Sydney Olympics, and Bob Tucker (UK) to press the field. Included in that field is the top returning double from last year, Jarlath O'Niel-Dunne and Erik Breiland (NH), a strong local contingent from Union Boat Club and Riverside Boat Club, and international crews from Ruderclub am Wannsee (Germany) , Amatitlan Rowing Club (Guatemala) and Tideway Scullers (UK).
Championship Doubles Women Competitors: 23
With none of the pairings and very few of the individual scullers from last year's contest returning, this is anyone's race. Laura Martinez and Caliz Conception have traveled from Spain to race Katelyn Gray and Sarah Murdoch from Austrailia and put pressure on a strong local field. Mary Layne Salter and Marika Page lead the fight for Riverside while Christina Meyer and Joy Stark of Union Boat Club follow close behind to claim stake over their home course. Sarah Jones is fresh off her Olympic pair races and joins blind sculler Arial Gilber of Marin Rowing.
Championship Singles Men Competitors: 26
Juri Jaansen (Estonian National Team - EST), the 2004 Olympic silver medalist from Estonia, travels to Boston for the forth time, after finishing 8th at last year's regatta with a time penalty that dropped him from 5th. At 6' 2" and 200 lbs., Jaansen is a seasoned veteran of the World rowing circuit since 1989 and one of Europe's most decorated rowers. Legally deaf, he is the men's single sculls world champion in 1990 and a World Record holder for 2000 meters in the single from 1995-1999 at 6:37.0
Sean Casey (Irish National Team-IRE), the top finisher from the 2003 regatta returning this year, looks to take advantage of his number one starting order. Last year he started 12th but would his way though the pack and finished 4th. He comes to Boston after a summer of racing in Olympic qualifying regattas, narrowly missing the opportunity to represent Ireland in Athens.
Duncan Free (AUS) knows what it takes to win the Charles. While he took a sabbatical from the regatta last fall and returns this year with bow number 16, he can claim victories in the 2001 and 2002 races. He also has also competed in the last 3 Olympic games, earning a bronze medal in the quad in 1996. When he's not rowing, he enjoys surfing and wakeboarding.
Championship Singles Women Competitors: 22
Cindy Bishop (Riverside Boat Club MA) has had a stellar year, winning the prestigious Princess Royal Challenge Cup at the Henley Royal Regatta and placing second in the non-qualified Olympic small boat trials this spring. Between her home-course advantage, the fact that she's the top returning competitor from last year, and her great year, Cindy will be the boat to beat.
Anne Browning (Pocock Elite Sculling WA) has been competing in The Head Of The Charles since 2000, competing that year under Harvard-Radcliffe and racing the Champ Single since then. She has a formidable home-course advantage, and has had success this summer winning the Dash Women's Single at the Canadian Henley Regatta.
Jana Heere (Vesper Boat Club PA) is on the coaching staff at Colgate University but has traded the coaching launch for a single for this race. She recently won the Master 1x in the 2004 Schulykill Navy Hutchinson Regatta cup by a whopping 38 seconds over a very fast field and placed 5th at this summer's Canadian Henley Regatta. She is looking to improve on her 5th place finish at last year's HOCR.
Adriana (Rika) Geyser (South Africa) just missed qualifying for the Olympics in the single; Caryn Davies (USRowing/Radcliffe) rowed in the US women's 8+ that brought home the silver medal. Both athletes are both products of US collegiate rowing programs, Geyser having graduated from Washington in 2001 and Davies set to graduate from Harvard in 2005.
Lisa Schlenker (Pocock Rowing WA) raced in the Champ Double in the 2003 regatta, but she is no stranger to the single. She competed in every World Championship regatta from 1998-2003, competing in the lightweight single in '99,'00,'01, and '02. She also claimed the World Indoor Rowing Championship for lightweight women in '99 and '00. She was the 1999 USRowing Female Athlete of the Year.
Kate Bosher won the open 1X at Canadian Henley.
Sunday Races
Senior Veteran Singles (70+) Men Competitors: 27
Christopher Collins, moving up to Senior Veterans this year from his 4rh place finish in Vet 1x leads off a very strong field of skilled and tenacious racers. In a very closely seeded event, Richard Kendall (S. Niagara RC - CAN) '03 Vet1x winner posted a nearly identical finish to Mr. Collins. Rounding out the pacesetters, Jack Heiden ('03 2nd place) John Elgar ('03 4th place and Steve Gurney ('03 5th Place) will push Mssrs. Collins and Kendall all way to the finish line. This promises to be very competitive event.
Senior Veteran Singles (70+) Women Competitors: 5
Laurette Rindlaub moves up to Senior Veterans from her 2nd place finish in the '03 Vet1x event. Last years winner, Eva Green of Saugatuck Rowing Club (CT) has won this event's Witte trophy for 2 years running and will attempt to repeat this year. Ms's. Stone and Douglas will round out the field.
Veteran Singles (60+) Men Competitors: 51
Duncan Howatt - moving up to the Veterans age group after finishing 5th in the '03 Grand Master 1x. Landon Carter (Pagosa RC - CO) placed 2nd in overall elapsed time in '03 Malcolm Gefter (Cambridge BC) took silver at HOCR'03. John Laundon will be looking to win the elusive medal for the age group, will be a strong challenger for the fastest time. Henry Hamilton (Cambridge BC) , a very savvy racer will keep the field honest, showing great skill in the turns on this curvy course.
In the middle of the pack look for Harry Parker, bow #19. Mr. Parker, the Harvard men's coach for over 40 years, did not race last year, but placed 6th in this event in 2002.
Veteran Singles (60+) Women Competitors: 9
Brooke Stevens (Cambridge BC - MA) Repeat winner in '02 & '03 will look for a hat trick. Harriett Cuyler, moved up from Grand Master 1x last year and a 12th place finish. Ms. Cuyler will look to bump off Brooke Steven's from her quest for a three-peat. Jan Stone, Diane Ziff and Ellen Carver will mount a stiff challenge to the pace-setters leading off.
Youth Fours Men Competitors: 38
Starting in 5th position last year, Gunnery School upset '03 winner Princeton University (NJ) for a skinny 1 second win. Northeastern University (MA) was 2 seconds behind Gunnery. Another strong high school program, St. John's (MA) will attempt to dethrone Gunnery for secondary school honors, finishing last year seven seconds ahead of Detroit Boat Club (MI) who is looking to move up to the front ranks.
Youth Fours Women Competitors: 34
The '03 returning lineup of top 6 finishers meets for a rematch. Last year Princeton University (NJ)beat out the field by 27 seconds for top honors. The top finishing high school crew, Winsor School will have their hands full staying ahead of their pursuers, Steel City Rowing (Pittsburgh PA) and Northeastern University (MA)
Grand Masters (50+) Singles Men Competitors: 61
This is the largest field of competitors in the HOCR. Leading the pack of this extremely competitive field, Robert Sengstaken - recent 2nd place finisher at the Textile River Regatta Master Singles event held last month in Lowell leads off as the first of 61 scullers. Last years winner - Robert Slocum will give chase in what promises to be nearly a dead-heat finish. Slocum was the winner of the September Textile River Regatta Master Singles event.
Kari Juurakko (Western RC - CAN) last years runner up and Al Flanders (GMS Rowing Center) and '02 Winner will keep the heat on this group of seasoned racers. Starting in the 39th position, Mr. George Park (Columbia SC RC) took the gold medal at the '03 Head of the Chattachoochee in Georgia.
Definitely keep an eye out for Craig Leeds, bow #24. Craig, along with longtime partner Steve Hathaway, was consistently a top finisher in the Master 2X and won the Sr. Master 2X in 2003.
Grand Masters (50+) Singles Women Competitors: 18
Leading the '03 Event from wire to wire, Judy Geer returns to defend her Head of the Charles and Course Record title. Deliane Klein moves up into the Grand Master bracket and a 2nd place seed to challenge for top honors. '03 Silver medalist Linda Kennett (Ithaca, NY) , Marie Hagelstein (3rd place) and Sara Hall round out the top seeds and favorites to watch.
Youth Eights Men Competitors: 55
Reclaiming its Stranglehold as the crew to beat, Charles River Rowing Association's (Harvard University - MA) took top honors and defends its title this year as the crew to beat. Giving chase are Yale, Brown and Penn. Coming back for another shot at the title is last year's 5th place finisher, Frankfurter Rudergessellschaft (GDR 1869). St. Benedict College High School (South Africa) returns for a second go at the high school title. From abroad, crews to watch include Eton College (UK) and Abingdon School (UK) will present strong high school crews.
Youth Eights Women Competitors: 52
Taking top honors last year, University of Virginia returns to defend the crown. Community Rowing (MA) once again starts in 2nd place and will mount a hot pursuit to unseat UVA. Other hot crews to watch are EWRC (Germany), Fish Creek Crew (NY) and Radcliffe (MA).
Master Fours (40+) Men Competitors: 18
1980 Rowing Club will go for FOUR in a row. Wilmington RC (PA) finished 17 seconds back last year. Rocky Mountain RC (CO). and Palm Beach RC (FL) and Cambridge Boat Club (MA) will also challenge.
Master Fours (40+) Women Competitors: 16
Dresdener Ruderverein (GER) returns to attempt a hat-trick and take a third in a row title. Second place Saugatuck RC (CT) won the event in 2001 beaing out Alabama Crew (AL). Narragansett BC (RI) and Great Bay Rowing (NH) will each push to get a win of their own.
Senior Masters Four (50+) Men Competitors: 15
Toronto Sculling Club (CAN) return to defend it's '03 win and new Course Record over runner up Kent Mitchell RC (CA). Fellow California competitor Marin Rowing Association (CA) is definitely in the hunt along with Martha's Vineyard RC (MA) and nearby Cambridge Boat Club. (MA).
Senior Masters Four (50+) Women Competitors: 13
Community Rowing (MA) took top honors in the 2003 Inaugural running of this new event for experienced sweep oarswomen. Establishing the event course record in the process, CRI handily defeated runner up Portland BC (OR) and Greater Columbus RC (OH) who are each back for a chance to unseat CRI. From the west coast, San Diego Rowing Club (CA) will be a formidable challenger.
Senior Masters Singles (40+) Men Competitors: 56
Last years top 3 finishers square off again for the 2nd year. John Tracey beat out 2nd finisher Jamie Gordon by a margin of .111 seconds. We can all expect Mr. Gordon to be doing his utmost to outmuscle and outrow Mr. Tracey - careful watching of these 2 bow numbers will help spectators feel the energy and competitiveness of these two fine competitors. David Gleeson finished 3rd last year, barely 4 lengths back of Mr. Tracey. Joining the top five are James Manson (Cambridge Boat Club), recently maturing from a 10th place finish in the '03 Master 1x event last year. Iain Pritchard will stay close to the lead for the entire run of the course. Greg Benning, bow #26, is returning to racing after a 4-year hiatus; Greg finished 2nd in the Master 2X in the 1999 HOCR and tt will be worth watching to see where he is 5 years later in the 1X.
Senior Masters Singles (40+) Women Competitors: 18
Margarita Jekobsons will defend her '03 win against up and comer, Ellen Kennelly (3rd place finish in '03 Master 1x) Charmie Curran and C.B.Sands-Bohrer finished last year in 3rd and 5th respectfully, 6 seconds apart at the finish. Also look for Alison Sanders-Fleming to be in the hunt for medals.
Collegiate Eights Men Competitors: 45
Minerva Rowing Club (NED) took top honors in the 2nd running of this event, missing out on a Course Record by .5 seconds. Hot on their heels last year, the US Coast Guard Academy (CT) returns in an attempt to unseat this hot college crew from The Netherlands. St. Joseph's University (PA) will be in the thick of the racing, having finished 1 second back of Coast Guard last year.
Collegiate Eights Women Competitors: 50
Queen's University (Canada) cruised to a '03 win and new Course Record - they'll be the team to beat. Univ. of Louisville (KY) will be looking knock off this very fast crew. Not to be left out of the fray, the US Coast Guard Academy (CT), West Virginia University (WV) and Lehigh University (PA) each bring potent competitors to the 3rd running of this very popular event. Ithaca College (NY) starting in 10th is the NCAA Division III 2004 Champions. Look for IC to add extra speed to this fast field.
Master Singles Men (30+) Competitors: 23
Russell Cone (Wide Load) returns to defend his '03 title against up and coming scullers Rob White (MA), Jonathan Grant (MA) and Marc Duby (Riverside BC, MA). With many seasoned and savvy competitors racing for the top spot, keep an eagle eye on the progress of Scot Killen (CT), Stephen Gantz (Wash. DC) and John Biddle (PA)
Master Singles Women (30+) Competitors: 19
The competitors in this field criss-cross paths throughout the racing season, so it's no small rivalry to acknowledge that Lindsay Burns Burns US Olympic Silver Medallist in 1996 (Pain Therputics - CA),, Amy Howat, Sophie Evans and Mitz Carr - all evenly match -will be bringing their best efforts to claim the title of Head of the River. Lindsay Burns, 1st place in '03 will defend against a very fast field. An interesting side note: Amy Howat, bow #2, is the daughter of Duncan Howat (bow #1) in the Veteran 1X.
Lightweight Fours Men Competitors: 13
National Team US Rowing will lead the pack of Club and Collegiate crews assault on this 2003 course record established by the New York AC.
From Philadelphia, Undine Barge will be hotly pursued by Ottawa RC and college hot shots, Navy and Cornell.
Lightweight Fours Women Competitors: 15
Front Runner Undine Barge (PA) and defending '03 Champion (2 seconds off the 1992 Course Record) will be aiming to capture the course record with renewed vigor. Pushing Undine upriver, the Brock University RC (CAN) and Minnesota Boat Club (MN) return to challenge for river braggin rights.
Lightweight Singles Men Competitors: 35
Richard Montgomery (Union BC - MA) returns to lead the pack defend his '03 win. Hot for a win, Gavin Frase (Orinda, CA), last years runner up will lead the charge to unseat Montgomery. Look for Justin Steingerwalt (FL), Stephen Arthur-Wong (Rollins RA) and Eric Wilhelm (MA) to all finish in the top tier.
Lightweight Singles Women Competitors: 24
Gen Meredith (Montreal Rowing Club - CAN) World Championship Medalist in '01 & '04. Pan Am Gold and Silver medals '03. Canadian Olympian and '03 HOCR Runner up is the sculler that her competitors are all itching for a shot at. Last year's 2nd place was . 1.5 seconds out of 1st place position - all of this providing extra motivation to Ms Meridith to take the crown by a wide margin. In hot pursuit, Grace Royalty (Cincinnati OH), several time sweep oared HOCR Gold Medalist, Pan Am games Silver and US National Team member will lead the charge to deny Ms. Meridith's quest for Gold. Julie Nichols (Pocock Elite Sculling Team) represented the US in the lightweight single at '03 Worlds. Look for Maria Picone to move up from her starting spot of #7. Maria is coming off a bronze medal in the Quad at the 2004 Fisa World Championships and she knows the Boston course. Other local rowers to watch are Riverside compatriots Sarah White, Heather Moon, Wendy Campanella, and Amy Westenfeld.
Lightweight Eight Men Competitors: 21
This event is consistently one of the fastest in the Regatta. In 2003, 21 of the 32 rowers in the event placed within 5% of the winner. There is no room to breath for the top competitors! New York Athletic Club returns to defend it's 12 second 2003 win over Yale (CT) and Brock (CAN) Universities Princeton University (NJ) will be in the thick of the medal hunt Watch for the US Naval Academy (MD) and Cornell University (NY) to also challenge.
Lightweight Eight Women Competitors: 16
Four of the top five '03 crews return for a rematch. Top Collegiate Crew, Radcliffe (MA) will lead a vigorous charge to unseat 2 time winner, Riverside Boat Club (MA). Princeton University (NJ) will be looking for revenge over Radcliffe's '03 upset for 2nd place.. Hoya and Ottawa are very well coached squads and will be angling for tactical advantage on the twisty course. Very fast times are expected from this field.
Championship Fours Men Competitors: 25
Leading the charge for Gold, last year's runner up -Camp Randall Rowing Club will set the pace with a passel of Ivies in tow lead by Princeton, Harvard, Brown and then University of California at Berkeley (CA).
Championship Fours Women Competitors: 20
London Training Center (Canadian National Team) is seeking it's 3rd straight HOCR crown, leading all finishers last year by nearly 20 seconds over Vesper Boat Club (PA). Expect very fast times to be posted by University of Victoria (CAN) . Brown University (RI) will be the top returning US college crew with Univ. of Virginia (VA) following.
Championship Eights Men Competitors: 37
Very fast racing. Don't blink. The returning '03 Champions, Princeton Training Center will have its hands full holding off a 5000 meter challenge from the likes of Harvard and Princeton Universities'. The Dutch Rowing Federation (national team composition) will give chase in what all savvy odds makers expect to be a barn burner of a heat for Gold. From the UK, Cambridge University Boat Club and Oxford Brooks University will met out a blistering pace for US Collegiate crews to maintain pace with.
Championship Eights Women Competitors: 42
London Training Center (Canada) only had to pass 1 boat last year to take Gold and set a new Course Record. Taking up the chase, US National Team members in the 2nd and 3rd starting crews, USRowing and the Princeton Training Center (NJ) will have their work cut out for them in attempts to surpass this extremely fast Canadian entry. The ASR Nereus (Dutch National team members) and Yale University (CT) will all vie for the top spot in efforts to crack the Canadian hold on Gold.