BOSTON, MASS. -- This weekend, the Ithaca Bombers joined 12,000 other rowers at the Head of the Charles Regatta in Boston. Informally known as "Rowers' Christmas" for the sense of family and excitement participants enjoy, the regatta is recognized as the world's largest three-day rowing event. Racing categories span every boat class and corner of the rowing community, from high school rowers to octogenarians, para-rowers, and current Olympians.
The Bombers competed in the Men's and Women's Collegiate 8+ events. The depth of Division III rowing was on full display in both races. While the men and women each executed clean races, both crews came away with a fresh understanding of the work they'll need to put in over the winter to be in the mix come spring.
WC8+ — The women's crew started in 18th position. With fewer members of the lineup meeting the team's long-standing "5K Charles standard" than in previous years, the crew focused on staying internal and rowing cleanly to maximize their power. They reported an aggressive start and a quick transition into a well-controlled rhythm.
Alumni photos showed well-spaced turns under Weeks and Eliot, but coxswain
Payton Fisch had to navigate toward the outside of the Anderson turn to avoid clashing with a passing crew. Finding a clean, direct line through the twisting course is a huge part of racing the Head of the Charles. A better break at Anderson might have moved the crew up a few places from its 23rd-place finish, but it's all part of the game.
Ultimately, the crew felt they left it all on the course and were proud of their efforts, particularly given that one member of the lineup was battling a sudden, severe case of the flu that hit the night before the race.
MC8+ — The Ithaca men started with bow number 37 in a field of 38 crews. The Bombers quickly passed UMass before spending much of the race closing in on Bates B, rowing in their puddles as they worked to move through the field.
Ithaca finished
31st overall in 15:22.387 in a field that has become significantly more competitive. While the winning time was just five seconds faster than in 2025, the pace required to earn a top-20 finish improved by nearly 20 seconds.
The race highlighted valuable opportunities for improvement, from taking a tighter line to finding more length and power in each stroke and racing at a more aggressive rate. The Bombers showed speed that was close to where they needed to be and now have a clearer picture of where they can gain valuable seconds.
Beyond the result, the regatta was a fantastic experience for the team. Racing shortly after the Men's Championship Eight meant warming up alongside some of the world's best crews, including the Dutch national team, which recently set the world-best time in the men's eight. For many Bombers, this was their first Head of the Charles, offering a firsthand look at the level of performance they're striving toward.
The Lineups
As always, it was a joy to see so many Bomber alumni and families there to spectate, volunteer, and help run the show. (Did you know that Coach John Romain is a stalwart member of the start-line crew?)
Of course, we also had alumni showing their speed on the racecourse! Savannah Brija '18 and her ARION partner
won the Championship 2x event! Marsha Liebowitz Zisling '88 and her Vesper teammates placed fourth out of 26 crews in the Veteran (60–69) 4+ event, and Lisa Lowe '11 finished eighth in the Para Inclusion PR3 2x.
There are likely a dozen others, so if you are—or know—an alumni racer have been missed in this short list, please reach out to the coaches and share your results!
Next up for the Bombers is the Head of the Fish in Saratoga Springs, NY, on Saturday, October 24.
Â
Â
