The men's and women's rowing teams returned from the biggest race of the fall, the Head of the Charles, relatively pleased with their performances given that the competition was not on the collegiate level, but an international one. The race included teams from Canada, Japan, Switzerland and Egypt.
"In general I thought the results were good," Lightweight Coach Dick Grossman said. "They were having a pretty good race, considering the fast company they were with."
One rower from Dartmouth performed particularly well, but unfortunately, he wasn't racing for Dartmouth. Davy Kitchel '95, who competed on the US national team last summer, rejoined his former teammates and raced against Dartmouth. Kitchel and his eight-man boat placed first in the lightweight race.
The Dartmouth men's four-man heavyweight boat placed a respectable sixth even after an early collision that meant a slow start. One of the members of the Canadian National Team (rowing as McGill University), which took first in that event, is Jeremy Howick'92.
"In general we were quite happy with how we did," Max Holdo '96 said. "We started out calm while other teams started out strong so we were a were a little nervous at first, but towards the middle of the race we started passing some of the boats and gained more confidence. Unfortunately we collided blades with another boat. I think we could have medaled if it wasn't for that."
The men's lightweight boat also placed in the top 10, coming in eighth. In the Youth division, which is open to all weights under 20, the Dartmouth eight-man lightweight boat, composed of five '97s and three '98s, came in with an 11th place finish.
"The guys raced pretty hard, but didn't really row together very well," Grossman said. "We are still sorting things out, so our combinations aren't technically sound yet."
The women's team's results weren't quite up to expectations, but the Big Green hope to improve upon that by training during the next two weeks in preperation for their upcoming race in Princeton. First place in the women's race was awarded to the U.S. National Team, rowing as the Boston Rowing Club.
"We didn't race the race that I thought we could," Coach Barbara Kirch said. "It just didn't happen. We're not disappointed for the year outlook, we just need to work on some things."
The Big Green did not enter the race with high expectations, but instead hoped to evaluate the progress made this fall.
"We really wanted to get an idea of how we were doing," Grossman said. "We are working on getting people into shape and blending the sophomores in to get them used to competing on the varsity level."
However, Grossman said participating in a popular race like the Head of the Charles is a rewarding experience on its own, regardless of how well a team does.
"It's a spectacle," Grossman said. "Being a part of it is exciting. But in terms of racing, you're not looking to win it, since there are teams at such a top level."
Not only is the quality of competitors phenomenal, but the quantity of the boats competing is enormous, making rowing difficult at times.
"It's hard in a race like that with so many boats," Holdo said. "You catch more waves and there were more turns. It's a unique experience though. It is exciting to be surrounded by so many boats and to be passing boats like we were able to."
Because the competition consists of several club and international squads, the Big Green try to focus on comparing themselves to those teams they often compete against.
"You want to test yourself against the teams you compete against come spring," Grossman said. "It's all relative. We did well against some and not so well against others, but now we know that what we need to do is catch up with those ahead of us."
This Saturday, Dartmouth will be hosting its Freshmen Invitational, which is the first of three races specifically designed for freshmen.
The University of New Hampshire, the University of Massachusetts and Columbia University will be spending the day on the Connecticut with Dartmouth, who's three crews (men's lightweight, men's heavyweight and women) will be represented.
The men's rowing competitions will begin at approximately 11 a.m. and the women's at about 12 p.m.