Fierce Competition at the Head of the Charles Regatta

Winsor Crew enjoyed a festive weekend at the 61st Head of the Charles Regatta (HOCR) with four races on Sunday, October 18. As Winsor rowers launched and raced their boats, over 500 spectators made up of friends, family, and alumnae packed the dock at the Winsor Belmont Hill Boathouse. 

“The crew was fierce,” said Rowing Coach Kate Hubbard of the Youth 4+: Yasmeen Alam ’27, Ava Petruzziello ’27, Allegra Catalino ’28, and Ginny Choe ’27, who placed 18th out of 85 boats in the competitive women’s Youth 4+ event. “As is common in this twisty race, they clashed oars and had to fight for good positioning all along the course,” explained Coach Kate. Finishing in a time of 19:22.165, the athletes earned an automatic entry for Winsor at next year’s HOCR.

Overcoming injury earlier in the week, the U17 4+, made up of Sreeja Ghosh ’28, Annie Fitzpatrick ’29, Angeliki Agape Volandes ’28, Lucy Stevens-Wright ’29, and Anaïse Saint Fleur ’29, placed 24th out of 34 boats and put together an impressive race. They finished in a time of 20:45.366.

“Our Youth 8+ had a great row down the course,” said Coach Kate, adding, “We are thrilled for this very young group of women to have had their first race in an international setting.” Led by Leila Pan ’28, the crew, consisting of Aarna Sundaram ’29, Elena Catalino ’30, Garden Gall ’30, Summer Brenninkmeyer ’29, Celia Dichiara ’30, Willa McGinnis ’30, Rosalind Yeh ’30, and Chloe Mao ’30, finished 81st out of 83 crews in a time of 21:01.269. 

In addition to the crews, Talia Ziblatt ’27 raced in the 1x finishing 43rd out of 48 boats in a time of 24:11.822. “Rowing a single in the Head of the Charles requires not only fitness and skilled bladework, but also excellent navigation and boatmanship,” praised Coach Kate of her efforts. 

Winsor’s participation in the HOCR dates back to 1975. While many of the 20+ boathouses along the Charles River belong to universities or private clubs, Winsor is one of just a handful of high schools with a boat house along the historic stretch. “Rowing in this race is a bucket list item for rowers all over the world,” shared Coach Kate. 

The timing of Under the Lights coincides with the HOCR so that on-campus contests on Friday are paired with weekend races on the Charles River, creating a weekend-long celebration of Winsor athletics.