Head of the Charles 2023
Despite Rain, Thousands Gather for 58th Head of the Charles Regatta
More than 11,000 athletes and 200,000 spectators from across the globe gathered in Cambridge this weekend for the 58th annual Head of the Charles Regatta, the world’s largest two-day rowing event.
In Photos: The 58th Head of the Charles Regatta
Thousands of visitors and athletes arrived in Cambridge to participate in the largest two-day rowing regatta in the world. More than 11,000 athletes from around the world race in the competition.
Send Off
Harvard crew members carry the boat into the water during a practice before the Head of the Charles Regatta. Junior rower Jack Dorney will not be competing in the regatta in preparation for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Junior Jack Dorney Prepares to Join Long Line of Harvard Rowing Olympians
While most of the Harvard men’s heavyweight crew team is preparing for the Head of the Charles Regatta, one of the Crimson’s oarsmen will be watching from across the Pond as he trains for another race, one almost a year away –– the 2024 Paris Olympics.
You're Gold, Baby
At the 2012 London Summer Olympics, pictured from left to right, Kateryna Tarasenko, Nataliia Dovgodko, Anastasiia Kozhenkova and Yana Dementieva celebrate their gold-medal win.
Candle Fire
Dovgodko and her husband heat their food with candles due to Russian officials cutting off power and energy sources in Ukraine.
With Her ‘Heart on Fire,’ Ukrainian Olympian Sets Eyes on 2023 Head of the Charles
“My heart is on fire.” That’s what 2012 Olympic gold-medalist and European champion Natliia Dovgodko described when asked how she feels heading into the 2023 Head of the Charles Regatta to represent her home country, Ukraine.
Morning Practice
The Harvard men's heavyweight rowing team practices in the early morning on October 19, 2023.
Orange Sea
Then-Syracuse women's rowing head coach Claire Ochal speaks to her athletes at an NCAA tournament. This year, Ochal replaced long-time Harvard-Radcliffe heavyweight head coach Liz O'Learly this year.
The Reward Worth All of the Work: What It’s Like Walking on to Harvard Rowing
One of the most unique parts of Harvard Crew is a culture of walk ons. There are very few sports where athletes are encouraged to start anew in college, and join a varsity team in a sport they’ve never played before. Rowing is one of those sports. Many of the first-year class are encouraged to join the “novice” program, and commit to weeks of grueling workouts with the hopes of joining the team.
Sunrise at Weld
Weld Boathouse currently serves both the Harvard men's and women's rowing teams while the Newell Boathouse is under construction.
Newly Renovated Weld Boathouse Ready for Spotlight at Head of the Charles
Since the completion of Weld’s renovation, construction has begun on Newell Boathouse, which houses the Crimson’s men’s rowing teams. Newell Boathouse, constructed in 1900 as a gift from the Harvard Club of New York, mirrors Weld on the other side of the river, closer to Harvard’s athletic facilities. Amidst the Newell renovations, all four varsity teams currently share Weld’s new facilities.
Packing Up
The Harvard men's heavyweight rowing team carries its shell back into Weld Boathouse after practice on October 19, 2023.
Charles River Racing
The Harvard men's heavyweight rowing team races along the Charles River during practice on October 19, 2023.
A Guide to Rowing and the Head of the Charles
The Head of the Charles Regatta (HOCR) is a unique race that occurs once a year, bringing together tens of thousands of people to Harvard Square to watch some of the most talented rowers in the world. Even though the actual crew season takes place in the spring, every athlete regards this race as the second-most important of the season, behind only nationals.
Launchpad
The Harvard men's heavyweight rowing team gets set to launch before an early morning practice on October 19, 2023.
Claire Ochal Takes Helm as Head Coach of the Harvard-Radcliffe Heavyweights
As Harvard women’s heavyweight rowing enters its 2023 season and the historic Head of the Charles Regatta approaches, Claire Ochal begins her first year as head coach of the team. Ochal replaces previous head coach Liz O’Leary, who had an incredible 37-year impact on Crimson heavyweight rowing.