Last Updated: 22.Oct.2019

The GRP traveled to Boston this weekend to compete in the 55th Head of the Charles Regatta. HOCR is the largest regatta in the world and had over 10,500 competitors at this year’s race. Nearly every member of the GRP competed this weekend, and a number of GRP Alumni were also scattered throughout the regatta. Even Dick, Judy, Erika and Coach Troy Howell jumped in on the fun and took to the course! 

HOCR hosts 68 different race categories that are run like clockwork over a two-day race schedule. The first to represent Craftsbury on Saturday was Coach Troy Howell and he placed 12th of 58 competitors in the Men’s Grand Master 1x event. Dick and Judy followed soon after in the Men’s and Women’s Grand Master 8+'s where they placed 6th and 5th respectively. 

Wes was the first of the Cedar Leaves to take his run down the course, and was also the first to step on the podium as he and his Michigan Men's Alumni 8+ teammates cruised to a first place finish! Heidi and Bridget followed soon after in the Women’s Alumni 8+ event where they represented their beloved alma maters of Princeton and Ohio State. They raced hard and took 3rd and 10th place respectively. 

The Championship events kicked off with the Men’s Champ 2x where the eldest Graves brothers, Tom and Peter, raced under the Craftsbury name and took 5th in the event. Next were the Men’s and Women’s Championship 1x’s where a bulk of the team competed. John Graves put together an amazing race and won his first HOCR Champ 1x gold medal, holding off the 2019 World Rowing Championship 1x silver medalist, Sverri Nielson, by less than a second! In the same race, Kevin squeezed his way into 3rd, solidifying his lead in the Lotman Challenge which culminates next weekend in Camden, New Jersey. Meanwhile, Nathan and Lucas took 9th and 10th respectively. The Women’s Champ 1x followed soon after where Mickey, Alex and Jen raced in a very competitive field and finished 7th, 10th and 15th respectively. Mickey’s finish also keeps her in the running for the Lotman Challenge so she too will head to Camden this weekend. 

Charlie and Andy wrapped up Saturday racing for the GRP as they cruised down the course in the Mixed Inclusion 4+. Charlie got together with his teammates from the World Rowing Championships Para Mixed 4+ and Andy lent a helping hand to the crew by hopping into the lineup after a last-minute dropout. The crew went fast and had fun! 

Sunday Craftsbury racing kicked off with Erika in the women’s Club 1x where she cruised to a 9th place finish! Finally, Jen wrapped up racing for the Greenies by hopping into a Director’s Challenge 8+. The Directors' Challenge races are all about fun and charity, so Jen’s crew dressed up as the cast of Lion King and Hakuna Matata-d their way to a 3rd place finish!

Overall it was a very successful HOCR for the GRP, coming away with two golds and a lot of great results. This weekend was also the debut of the new GRP unis and the official start of their new partnership with Regatta Sport. Keep an eye out for new GRP threads on the water this 2019-2020 season!

Kevin, John and Mickey will go to Camden, NJ this weekend to wrap up the Lotman Challenge with a 750m sprint race for cash. While the rest of the team will prepare to race at Fall Speed Order on November 2-3rd in Princeton, New Jersey. Go Green!