Sudduth Claims Singles At Head of the Charles

While the wild partying raged on the banks of the Charles, there was some serious racing at the 21st annual Head-of-the-Charles Regatta yesterday.

Andy Sudduth '83-'85 highlighted the efforts by Crimson rowers cruising to a 16-second victory in championship singles. Sudduth, who won the silver medal at the World Championships in the summer sped down the three-mile course in 18:38.2 seconds, despite a strong headwind.

"It was strange because I was cruising along by myself," the top seed said. "It's more enjoyable to start in the middle of the pack and push yourself."

John Biglow, the U.S. single sculler at the 1984 Olympics placed second in 18:54.4. Biglow, a Yalie, finished fourth at the Games.

The Harvard heavyweight eight, which won the Henley Regatta in July, placed 14th and 16th in the championship eights. The Crimson split its best rowers into two boats and never challenged the Canadian Olympic Team (racing as the Ridley Grads) which won the event in 15:05.5

The Rude and Smooth, a boat containing members of Harvard's '74-'75 championship eights raced to a second-place finish in 15:18.2

The Radcliffe heavyweights placed fourth in championship eights, nine seconds behind the Canadian entry that won the division in 17:33.6

The Radcliffe lightweight four placed a diappointing fourth in its division. The Harvard lightweight eight placed third in 16:17.6. Harvard won club eights and the youth eight placed second.

Sixty-five-year-old David Challinor '43 won the veterans division in 23:51.7.

Harvard heavyweight Coach Harry Parker was ninth in senior singles in 21:52.4, beating out Yale Coach Tony Johnson, who was 29th in 23:38.6

"Just as happy about that as if I'd won," Parker said of his victory over Johnson.