Singles Meet in Boston

Tempted by the challenge of the Charles River as well as possible cash prizes, top international single scullers will be meeting in Massachusetts this weekend for the 37^th edition of the Head of the Charles regatta.

The spectacular event runs over two days and often draws up to 250,000 spectators on the shores of the cities of Boston and Cambridge, Massachusetts. 5,500 competitors in 19 events will row the 3 mile (4.8 km) course along the twisting Charles River.

The highlight event will undoubtedly be the Championship singles races that take place on Saturday. The men’s event features 1996 Olympic Gold medallist Xeno Müller of Switzerland, Sydney Bronze medallist Marcel Hacker of Germany and Australian Duncan Free.

The first three from each men’s and women’s 3 mile race will then go to race in the final event of the weekend, the 580 metre Charles Schwab Sprint –and have a go at the $5,000 prize money awarded for first place.

In the women’s Championship events Olympic Champion Ekatarina Karsten of Belarus will do her best to claim this year’s title after being pipped for the prize last year by New Zealander Sonia Waddell.

She will be facing stiff competition however from 2001 World Championships silver medallist Joulia Levina from Russia and 2001 finalist Agnieszka Tomczak of Poland.

Local entries in the women’s championships event include American Carol Skricki who won bronze in the quad in Lucerne in August. At 39 years of age Skricki has the advantage of experience, this will be the fourth time that she participates in the Championship singles.

First held in 1965, the Head of the Charles is one of the world’s largest participation regattas.