Medal Haul: Greenwich Crew Impresses at 2023 Head of the Charles

Greenwich Crew, a longstanding powerhouse in the world of rowing, has once again demonstrated a commitment to excellence at The 58th Head of the Charles Regatta.

The event, which took place on October 21-22, saw Greenwich Crew athletes shine on the Charles River as they secured an impressive silver medals in the Women’s Youth 4+ and Women’s Youth 8+ races, as well as, a bronze medal for the Men’s Youth 8+ race.

This remarkable achievement adds to the rich legacy and history of Greenwich Crew, an organization that has consistently delivered outstanding performances on the water for over 18 years. The Head of the Charles Regatta, one of the most prestigious rowing events on the globe, draws top competitors from across the nation and around the world, making Greenwich Crew’s success all the more noteworthy. This year’s event was incredibly well attended with more than 11,000 athletes from around the world rowing in over 1,900 boats across 60 events. For those who appreciate the sport of rowing and this long-standing New England tradition, the HOCR is not to be missed.

The Women’s Youth 8+ demonstrated exceptional strength and endurance on the water, finishing in 2nd place against a very strong field of ninety (90) boats. The crew of Saira Mitchell (coxswain), Adair Beck, Percy Wayne, Cara Smith, Julia Doss, Liana Hoffman, Elizabeth Reid, Catherine Ruf, and Mariel Ratner, finished with a time of 17:34.958, securing a third straight (2021, 2022 & 2023) silver medal in the event for Greenwich.

The Women’s Youth 4+ rowed by Kayla Jaffe (coxswain), Caitlin O’Mara, Phelan Bryant, Ana Sucic, and Darin Wilkowski also brought home a silver medal finish, racing down the course with a time of 19:26.165. “Having two boats bring home medals and re-qualifying our second 8+ really speaks to the depth of our women’s team,” said Coach Paul Ruggeberg. “This performance shows how hard our athletes work day-in and day-out, we would not have these results if it wasn’t for the whole team.”

In the highly competitive Men’s Youth 8+ event, the crew of Sam Jaffe (coxswain), Maximillian Willot, Nellam Govindaraj, James Markline, Marcus Chung, Alex Willot, Panagiotis Giannakopoulos, Henry Cullen, and Ryosel Tanakamaru, cinched the bronze medal finishing third in their race with a time of 15:35.126. The Men’s Youth 8+ has been the defending champions of this category for the last two years, and once again Greenwich Crew delivered an impressive performance for the club. “Achieving a medal at this event is an extraordinary feat, requiring impeccable teamwork, relentless effort, and unwavering trust in the process.”, said Coach Cary Wasserman, “All five of our men’s junior entries re-qualified for next year, the most ever in Greenwich Crew history.”

Greenwich Crew, founded in 2005, has a history of success in competitive rowing, and the 2023 Head of the Charles Regatta results add to a long list of accolades. The organization has been a training ground for numerous athletes who have gone on to achieve greatness in the sport, including representing the United States on the international stage.

Greenwich Crew, established in 2005, is a premier rowing organization with a rich history of excellence. Based in Greenwich, CT, the organization provides opportunities for athletes of all ages to compete at the highest of levels. With a commitment to teamwork, discipline, and sportsmanship, Greenwich Crew strives to be a leading example of excellence in the sport of rowing.