tion . With the majority of races occurring in Europe — Canada and the United States combined have hosted just four Olympic and world championship regattas in the last 30 years — Boston provides national teams on both sides of the border with a cost-effective — and jet-lag free — means to gather key race beta . “ It ’ s something we don ’ t have a lot of — a great international regatta that is only a car ride away ,” says Canadian national women ’ s coach Al Morrow , whose athletes have raced in Boston since 1994 . He says he ’ ll be paying particularly close attention to the world champion U . S . women ’ s eight , who will start first in the championship event .
For North American crews , the Head Of The Charles has along the way provided a stage to settle old grudges , beginning with the rivalry between Philadelphia ’ s Vesper Boat Club and St . Catharines Rowing Club in Canada in the lightweight men ’ s eight in the mid- ‘ 80s ( both clubs were then home to their respective national teams ). The two countries renewed the rivalry from 1997- 1999 . Morrow ’ s Canadian women fought similar contests with the American women ’ s eight in the late ‘ 90s . “ The Head Of The Charles is like a reunion ,” he says . “ You see tons of people you wouldn ’ t normally see . Every 10 steps you run into someone you know .”
The longer race distance also fits into many coaches ’ training plans , with summer ’ s intense sprint-race preparation typically giving way to increased mileage in the fall . “ It falls into the time of the year when you should be working on your aerobic base ,” adds Morrow , whose Canadian contingent this year includes a women ’ s eight , four , three singles , three doubles , and a lightweight women ’ s eightDrysdale ’ s training begins in earnest each year during head race season in
October and November . A “ very competitive person ,” he finds the stimulus of real race situations to be more effective than training pieces for his development . “ It ’ s nice to participate in an event that asks more of people than a two-kilometer drag race with six crews side-by-side on a straight , buoyed course .”
Racing is indeed part of the appeal for Britain ’ s Eton College youth crews . But coach Jimmy Scragg , whose two youth eights start will compete , says the regatta also provides his boys with a chance to broaden their horizons . Families from local Belmont Hill School regularly host the Eton oarsmen , who in turn have an opportunity to reciprocate at the Henley Royal Regatta . “ It also provides our boys with a great chance to experience the wide rowing world ,” Scragg adds . “ Many are interested in American universities and welcome the opportunity to gain some insight .”
FORTY-THIRD HEAD OF THE CHARLES REGATTA23