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Competitors descend on Charles River
CAMBRIDGE, Massachusetts (AP) -- The Head of the Charles Regatta is regarded as a serious competition for the world's best rowers to a recreational event for the first-timer. But for all of the approximately 6,000 rowers from 24 countries who will compete this weekend, the world's largest annual two-day rowing regatta is a can't-miss event. "It's like I heard a man on the dock a few years back say: 'It's like Christmas for rowers,'" said Carol Skricki, America's main hope in the women's singles. Up to 500,000 spectators are expected to line the banks of the Charles River between Boston and Cambridge -- the largest crowd for a rowing event in the world. World champion Olaf Tufte of Norway is the single sculls favorite facing strong challenges from Xeno Mueller of Switzerland, the 1996 Olympic champion, and Marcel Hacker of Germany, a 2000 Olympic bronze medalist. Also entered is Medford native Steve Tucker, a United States Olympian last year. Two-time Olympic single scull gold medalist Ekaterina Karsten of Belarus is the women's singles favorite if she can overcome a sore back. If not, space could open for Skricki and Russia's Julia Levina, a silver medalist at this year's world championships. U.S. Rowing, which has won five consecutive championship fours and six eights in a row at the Head of the Charles, is tipped to repeat in both races. Rowing Canada, which won the women's championship fours in 2000, is also among the leaders. Princeton will defend its championship women's eights title against ASR Nereus of the Netherlands, and U.S. Rowing. The 37th Head of the Charles has five races Saturday, including the championship singles, and ends Sunday with 16 races, including the championship doubles, fours and eights.
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