athletes like Drysdale clear their calendars for the next to last weekend in October .
“ International crews often tell me it ’ s the best regatta in the world ,” says Frederick Schoch , president and executive director of the Head Of The Charles . “ The city is small and friendly
It ’ s no surprise athletes like Mahé Drysdale clear their calendars for the next to last weekend in October .
enough to make it comfortable for visitors and the race course speaks for itself . Of course , most athletes deeply appreciate rowing in front of such a large audience . That alone separates the Head Of The Charles experience from any other regatta in the world .”
It also explains why so much of the rowing world is here . This year ’ s Head Of The Charles boasts the most diverse start list in its 43-year history with crews from China , Japan , Germany , Italy , England , Ireland , and the Netherlands among those lining up in the Charles River basin in anticipation of the starter ’ s commands . Schoch says the regatta ’ s increasingly global profile contributes to spectator interest and the quality of the racing . “ It ’ s one of the few events in the United States that has a true international field ,” he adds , “ which makes the Head Of The Charles even more desirable to compete in .”
The overseas extension of the Head Of The Charles ’ brand — one of the strongest in amateur sport — didn ’ t happen overnight . Enhancements to the venerable regatta — including the addition of a second day of racing in 1997 and a cash prize sprint race in 1999 — helped elevate it to a must-attend event for international athletes . Olympic singles champion Rob Waddell and wife Sonia were among the sculling elite who raced in previous runnings of the 350-meter dash , held after Sunday ’ s championship eights events . ( Winning their respective races in 2000 , the couple collected $ 15,000 which they used for a down payment on a new home back in New Zealand .) Though the regatta no longer has a sprint race , organizers continue to recruit top men ’ s and women ’ s scullers from Europe , helping out with hotel and transportation arrangements .
The Head Of The Charles provides North America ’ s elite rowers with an equally unique opportunity : a domestic event with international-caliber competi-
22 FORTY-THIRD HEAD OF THE CHARLES REGATTA