Williams Men Win Head of the Charles Regatta for the Second Consecutive Year
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Bow # 1. The First Varsity boat had a target on its back. After besting reigning Trinity by barely a second last year, the rival Trinity squad had nothing else on their minds but regaining victory. Williams launched from Northeastern University’s boathouse and paddled with their rivals through the frigid rain down to the start. Clothes were quickly stripped and Williams was off. Head-races have staggered starts, and thirteen seconds later Trinity was on the clock.
The crews traded the lead down the course as they raced against time. Trinity would inch up, then Williams would pull away. Captain Cameron Skinner ’11 6-seat explained, “There was amazing support from the fans. We heard cowbells and cheers for Williams at just about every bridge over the three-mile course. It certainly helped to give us that little push needed in the difficult sections.”
Trinity led to Riverside Boat club, but Williams gained over the powerhouse stretch. Trinity was winning at Harvard’s Weld boathouse. Nobody knew who would pull out ahead.
Trinity led to Riverside Boat club, but Williams gained over the powerhouse stretch. Trinity was winning at Harvard’s Weld boathouse. Nobody knew who would pull out ahead.
Under Eliot Bridge with just a few hundred meters left, the Eph crew sensed the margin and fought back. Nathaniel Lim ’11 reflected on the moment, “Slightly behind in the final 2:30 of the race, at the brink of collapse, we trusted ourselves and each other to reach further into the abyss of pain and orchestrate a medal winning sprint."
Williams defended and widened their lead through to the finish. Just as flurries began descending from the clouds, the boat secured victory. The Williams and Trinity Boats dominated the field by around 20 seconds-essentially a duel race. Dan Costanza ’11 remarked, “They really gave us a scare with their big push early on, but with our experience from winning a year ago, we backed ourselves and stayed strong through the body, allowing us to walk away during the powerhouse and pull off a great sprint.”
The crew was not aware of their victory until the official times were posted around 15 minutes after the finish, the longest moment of the weekend. They had accomplished an unprecedented feat in its history-back to back Head of the Charles Titles. In the words of Bow Dan Kenefick ’11, "I peaked. And it was so good."
The victory capped an excellent weekend for the crew. Forgoing the festivities of Mountain Day back in Williamstown, a lone college van pursued the boat trailer to the banks of the Charles River. Coach Peter Wells ’79 had driven down early that morning to clear the way for his all of his crews.
Coach Wells had challenged Williams alumni to field more boats and the alumni rose to the occasion. An unprecedented 4 alumni VIII’s participated in the eponymous event. The ’79, ’81, ’89, and ’08-’09 crews were to take to the water the next day, Saturday.
As the trailer was unloaded later that Friday, a strange omen presented itself to the crew. A mere ten feet above their heads flew a large bird of prey, perhaps an owl, grasping a squirrel. Something momentous was to happen; yet no one could say which side fortune would favor.
After a short practice on Friday, the crew headed back to the awaiting kindness of the Kaemmer family (Carolyn ’12 and Hannah ’13). The crew had great thanks for their generosity. The hospitality and gourmet food helped ease and relax the tense athletes.
Saturday was filled with many wonderful reunions as the crew met with their gracious alumni as well as their loyal classmates. Sadly, the Second Varsity VIII was not invited to the Charles this year. The weather was beautiful and the course was inviting. That night the men’s and women’s teams ate dinner in Concord at the Trinity Church. Sally Sandford and Sandy Smith, parents of Samantha Smith ’09 helped orchestrate the delicious lasagna dinner.
The race on Sunday was quite taxing both emotionally and physically for the wet and shivering forms in purple and gold. Yet the crew felt a sense of peace and purpose, especially when unwinding at the parents’ tent headed by the Skinners and Trecos (Cameron ’10, Alex ’12).
The Head of the Charles marked the culmination of the fall head-racing season. Coach Peter Wells said, “Thanks to the Relentless Nine who rowed one hell of a race today in front of many adoring fans whom we know well.” The crew will still have an opportunity to perform well at next weekend’s Head of the Fish Regatta.
