Photo of winning UVa Women's Club 8 by Diane Terry
by Janit Stahl
The Charles always produces some heated rowing no matter what the weather and this year despite the chill ("I wish it were like last year!"), it was no different. Crews shift gears and some unexpected results make the Charles what it is: and event you have to attend and race hard.
Saturday meant that University of Virginia Women were on the podium indoors under the 'big tent' after Women's Club Eights an the Women's Club fours both won outdoors--they won both over Yale University (Eights) and Charles Campbell Rowing (fours) respectively. The Eight of coxswain Sarah Pichardo, rowers Caroline Sweeny, Marie Long, Erin Hawes, Sarah Borchelt, Keziah Beall, Christine Roper, Chelsea Simpson and Merelle Myers won by 9 seconds, the UVa four of coxswain Chloe Delaney, McKenzie Leahey, Martie Kuzzy, Inge Janssen and Susi Chalker won by a 'statement' margin of 28 seconds. Says UVA Women's Asst. Coach Steve Pritzker, "It was the first time at the Charles for most of these rowers," he adds, "a couple had rowed in high school, but most did not know what to expect." That included coxswain Sarah Pichardo, who had gone over the course numerous times with Coach Pritzkar and Kevin Sauer the Head Coach but had never been at the helm down the Charles. "The goal was to execute the moves well." The crew started 33rd, so they passed 7 or 8 boats, so kudos to the newbie cox who really made it happen for her crew. The crew kept it at a controlled rate and aimed for good swing and power in the rough conditions, meeting their goal to row the course well with the unexpected bonus of a win at the Head of the Charles. UVA made it a trifecta and won in the Women's Alumni Eights as well. All of their boats started deep in the order, which made their rows exciting from both within the boat and on the shores.
In the Championship Doubles, the Graves brothers (Tom and Peter) rowing for Craftsbury Sculling Center won by 8 seconds over some powerhouse crews. Just behind them, members of the Great 8, Tim Maeyens (BEL) and Ondrej Synek(Czech Rep), came across line, then the German Crew rowing under the club name of Deutcher Ruder Verban completed the course in 7 seconds back. Two other Great 8 entries rowing under Tideway Scullers club, the home rowing club of coach Bill Barry, finished within seconds. In fourth was Alan Campbell (UK) and Marcel Hacker (Germany), then Warren Anderson (US) and Iztok Cop (SLO) in fifth.
In the Men's Championship singles Michael Sivigny rowing for GMS rowing center in New Milford, CT won thanks to his good course and aggressive attack on the course.Nathan Cohen from Invercargill Rowing Club went off course and received a time penalty of 10 seconds to put him in third place. Great 8 three-seat Lasse Karonen of Sweden was second, current World Champion Mahe Drysdale was fourth, just one second off Nathan Cohen's adjusted time.
In the championship double for Women, the USA double of Megan Kalmoe and Ellen Tomek ripped through the course a full 43 seconds faster than Canadian Double Romina Stefancic and Peggy DeVos, followed by Potomac Boat Club entry of Katherine Stainten and Morgan Wimberly and the NYAC entry of Katie Seston and Lizzy Boyle. The Women's Championship double field was more spread out than the tightly-packed Men's field, with a minute and 15 seconds separating the top-five finishers.
Romina Stefancic, second place in the Women's double for Canada, is originally from Slovenia where she learned to scull at an early age. "I learned to scull at 12 and was on the Slovenian Junior team before I moved to Canada," she says. Stefancic also rows in the Canadian Women's Eight (racing as London Training Center at HOC) in five-seat, says that it was easier to pick up sweep rowing after a good foundation of sculling as a Junior in Slovenia (video of a conversation of Romina and Sarah Bonikowsky below). Her partner was Peggy DeVos.
More from the Head of the Charles to come, including coverage of the youth and masters events! Stay tuned to rowingnews.com for news and updates.
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