Canadian scullers shine at Head of the Charles

Malcolm Howard of Rowing Canada got the better of World Champion Mahe Drysdale (NZL) by a slight half a second after a steering mistake by Drysdale cost him the race on Boston’s winding 5km Charles River course.

New Zealand also took third in the men’s single when Nathan Cohen came in less than 100th of a second slower than Drysdale on his first attempt at the Head of the Charles race. Last year’s winner, Santiago Fernandez of Argentina finished sixth.

Darcy Marquardt of Canada, better known for her speed in the women’s pair, won the women’s single. Marquardt had an easy win ahead of USA national team member Liane Malcos. USA’s top single sculler, Michelle Guerette was tracking in second place, but a 30 second penalty for “aggressive passing” when she tangled with boats that she was trying to overtake, dropped Guerette into ninth position overall.

Canada was not so lucky in the women’s eight. The United States national team crew finishing first by a clear 13 seconds ahead of Canada’s national team boat stroked by Buffy Williams. The US women’s time of 15.26 established a new course record with a crew that included six members of the 2007 World Champion crew.

The United States also won the men’s eight. The US national team boat stayed well ahead of a fleet of top American university crews with the University of Wisconsin finishing in second, 27 seconds behind the US national team.

Over the two days of racing the favourable weather conditions of mild temperatures, calm waters and tail winds, saw 15 new course records set out of the 56 events raced. The fine weather attracted large crowds and the Massachusetts State Police estimating more than 305,000 spectators along the banks of the Charles River over the two days of racing – 131,000 on Saturday and 174,000 on Sunday.

Head of the Charles Press Officer, Jim Connelly said the weather was possibly the best he could remember. Connelly said the number of course records was, for him, the highlight.

“Most of the rowers felt the weather was near-perfect,” said Connelly. “It did get a little bit warm when the sun beat down on Sunday, but the water was very calm throughout much of the course.”

A new results delivery system was successful which allowed the results to be compared over multiple races. See it here.

2007 Course Records