For decades, getting a coveted entry into the Head Of The Charles Regatta has been extremely difficult for rowers whose dream is to secure a spot at the world's largest regatta. In past years, competitors who rowed within 5% of the winning time of each event got a guaranteed entry for the following year. That group has represented a slim percentage of the more than 1,600 boats that have been competing recently at the annual Regatta.
The majority of competitors enter HOCR via a lottery, hoping their entries will be accepted each year. Many schools and clubs also created "ghost" clubs to increase the odds of getting more of their boats to compete via an alias. The Regatta usually receives thousands of entries each year, and previously only about half had been accepted, with the remaining half turned away; after all, only so many boats can be accommodated on the legendary 3-mile course.
For the majority of competitors, to compete at the Head Of The Charles it's simply been the luck of the draw. As of the 43rd Regatta, the entry rules have changed for crews (Fours and Eights) as well for schools, universities and other institutions...
Top 50% now guaranteed
This year, most competitors will need speed more than luck, as half the crews can now earn their entry into next year's Head Of The Charles. Crews that place within the top half (50%) of their event will get an automatic guaranteed entry next year. This should crank up the heat and make for more ambitious rowing--especially in the middle of the pack--as these competitors are now vying to keep their coveted entry. (Sculler's guaranteed entries are still limited to those that finish within 5% of the winning time in their respective event.)
This revised guaranteed entry system should make watching the regatta--and finding out how fast each crew rows the world-famous course--more exciting to the approximately 250,000 spectators expected to flock to the Head Of The Charles Regatta throughout the weekend. The crowds will be cheering nearly 8,300 rowers competing in approximately 1,750 boats representing 18 countries and 39 states. Many will be on the riverbanks to watch if their alma mater will lock in their entry for next year, if not win a medal.
No more "ghosts" rowing
It will also be easier to identify each school or club this year, as each institution is now permitted to have more than one entry in each event division. Previously--because of the nature of the Regatta's lottery system--institutions created a bona fide USRowing club with a clever pseudonym specifically to increase their chances to get more entries accepted into the Head Of The Charles Regatta.
That method eventually forced HOCR's management to look at changing the entry process, as many schools and clubs submitted multiple entries to the Regatta, attempting to increase their odds for acceptance. Last year the Regatta could no longer guarantee each applicant's first choice as it received far too many applications. With its steadily increasing popularity since the first Regatta in 1965, the Head Of The Charles had to fix this policy and simplify the entry process to permit entering multiple boats in an event.
Schools and universities will now be truly identifiable, making it easier for spectators to know who they are cheering and for the media to report race results. It will also make the entry process easier for coaches.
Alumni crews can continue to use their IRC-sanctioned club to distinguish themselves from their alma mater. These playfully-named rowing clubs often give a clever wink to their school. For instance, Princeton alumni will row as "Fat Cats Rowing Club" and Colby alumni as "Messalonskee Rowing Club"--continuing the wit and spirit HOCR is known for.
The 43rd Head Of The Charles Regatta is Saturday & Sunday, October 20 & 21, 2007 starting each day at 8:30 AM and commencing roughly 4:30 PM. More info at www.hocr.org
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