'M' rowing to take the Head of Charles

The Michigan rowing team heads to Boston this weekend to compete in the 33rd annual Head of the Charles Regatta.

The regatta is the world's largest two-day rowing event. It draws over 300,000 fans and includes more than 5,400 athletes from around the world.

Michigan coach Mark Rothstein sees the premier event as an opportunity for his team to check its progress against the nation's top collegiate teams. Because the spring serves as the main racing season for rowing, the race is not a major focus for the team.

"Even though this is a fall race, I want to be competitive," Rothstein said.

The format for the head race is not the same as the format used in the spring. Rather than lining up six boats side by side, the boats are sent down individually at 15-second intervals. Also, head races are typically longer. This weekend's race is approximately three miles. The long distance benefits rowers with better endurance.

The single-file format allows the race directors to design the race with more curves. Because there are more turns, head races are often called "Coxswain Races." The coxswain is responsible for steering the boat. Often times, the coxswain that sets the shortest line wins the race.

"I like head races," senior coxswain Belinda Koo said. "They give me an opportunity to test my steering abilities against other coxswains."

In their previous race, at the Head of the Ohio, the Wolverines placed third. Michigan finished six seconds behind both Virginia and Brown.

With his team set to go off in between Virginia and Brown in the this weekend's race, Rothstein believes that it will be intense.

Junior transfer Kristine Johns eagerly awaits the regatta. Transferring from California, the East-coast race should offer her a different flavor.

Coming off an injury, junior standout Kate Johnson looks forward to her first race of the season.

"I am really excited about this team," said Johnson, "This is the strongest crew that we have ever had."

10-21-99