BOSTON, MA – This morning, Williams Women's Crew traveled to Boston to compete in the Head of the Charles Regatta, the largest regatta in the world by number of entries. Despite strong winds and turbulent conditions, the Women's 1V and 2V finished strong.
Because of the winding racecourse – with a near 180-degree turn in the last 1000 meters of the race – the Head of the Charles poses a unique challenge to coxswains, who must chart the straightest course while avoiding the hazards of passing other boats through narrow bridges. The distance of the course, 4,702 meters, is more than double the typical racing distances in the spring season, requiring exceptional endurance from the rowers.
The 1V – coxed by Charis Woo, with Courtney FitzMaurice stroking, followed by Abby Murphy, Prairie Resch, Ellie Davis, Riley Galizio, Prairie Resch, Madeleine Horn, and Vivian Johnson in bow – raced first with bow number 7. Despite windy, choppy conditions, the crew got off to a strong start down the powerhouse stretch, the longest straight shot in the race from 500-1500 meters into the race. The crew hit a digger at the end of this stretch, under the River St. Bridge, but quickly regathered themselves, putting distance between their stern and the bow of the trailing Wellesley crew. The boat caught another crab under the Weeks Bridge, roughly 2,400 meters into the race, damaging one of their riggers and bringing the boat to a full stop. Once again, the boat quickly recovered and regained their previous lead on Wellesley. Despite some chaos, the boat built enough speed throughout the race to place 15th out of 35 boats with a time of 18:49.735.
"This was the first race that I felt we were connected as a boat and finishing together," Resch said. "Regardless of what happened, we recovered."
The 2V raced under bow number 23, with coxswain Katie Scott and stroke seat Lola Kovalski, followed by Audrey Riddle, Molly McWeeny, Claire McDonald, Marie Brewer, Emma Caruso, Ella Potee, and Carolyn Fortin in bow. The 2V dealt with the same choppy conditions and responded well. "I was impressed by our composure in the conditions because in practice we struggled with that," Kovalski said. Smith, starting 24th, passed the 2V early in the race, though the crew was able to catch up to Colby, who had started just before them. The 2V gained contact with Colby at roughly 1500 meters in the race, and held contact through the last 500 meters, though they were unable to pass largely because Colby failed to yield. Coxswain Katie Scott, however, was able to position the 2V on the inside of the sharp turn under the Weeks bridge – giving her crew the shorter course. "The steering went well," Kovalski said. "The lines were incredible, and I had the utmost faith in Katie." Colby reached the finish line first, though Williams held contact on their boat through the sprint. The 2V placed 26th out of 35 boats with a time of 19:35.191.
These strong performances from the 1V and 2V came after the 3V and a four raced Mount Holyoke on Onota Lake in Pittsfield on Saturday. The boats raced two consecutive head-race style 2,800 meter pieces. The 3V, coxed by Ariana Oppenheimer, stroked by Catherine Farman-Farmaian, followed by Sophia Clavenna, Cora Birknes, Lindsay Gadsden, Annie Refermat, Briana Palmieri, Olivia Thurman, and Brenda Jaroker in bow, beat Mount Holyoke's 2V in both races. "Spirits were high and it was a very fun scrimmage," Refermat said. "Mount Holyoke's 2V came out speedy and we were worried they had us in the first 500 but we steadily pulled away as they lost steam."
The Williams four was coxed by Qi Wang for the first piece and Sohani Curtis for the second piece, with Alexa Hanson in stroke seat, followed by Charlotte Ragozin, Ana Wever, and Arden Caldicott in bow, successfully held off the Mount Holyoke 4v. This race presented the first opportunity for Wang and Curtis to get in the coxswain seat for a competitive piece. "We brought our A-game," Caldicott said. "Defeating the elements was also pretty cool," she said, noting the rain during the race.
"Led by our fearless coxswains, Williams Women's Crew fought hard today through the tough conditions," said head coach Paula Thoms. "They worked together to push for speed and stayed together despite some almost boat-stopping strokes around the bridges. I'm proud of the work the team has put in to prepare for this race and look forward to a strong winter training season ahead!"
"Head of the Charles is a special event in the rowing community – the largest event in the sport and one of the most challenging race courses," coach Eileen Russell said. "The team did a great job of managing the extra pressure and focusing on what they do best. It was particularly exciting to see some of our younger athletes come down the course for the first time and come off the water fired up for winter training and spring racing season."
