"All the crews we race in the spring season will be there and so this race will tell us how well we need to do," said senior Luka Djunic. "Since Brown won Eastern Sprints last year, it is the team to beat."
The Harvard men's lightweight boats will also be looking to capitalize on the opportunity to improve in early season action.
"Traditionally, we've tended to start slower in the year and build up, but we'll be looking for a strong start this weekend," said co-captain Richie McCormack. "It will also be fun in front of those crowds and on our home course."
The same theme of improvement and assessment is apparent on for the women. The Head of the Charles will be the first race of the season for the Radcliffe lightweights.
"[The Regatta] comes quite early in our season, but it's a great opportunity to take a measure of where our team is," said Tucker.
The Radcliffe heavyweight crew, along with both men's crews, won the Stonehurst Regatta in Rochester, NY last weekend. Its task this weekend will be to continue the momentum of its early season triumph.
The races on Sunday afternoon will be exciting, but there are almost as many distractions on shore as there are in the water.
Read more in Sports
Cornell's Loss at Brown Locks Five Ivy Teams in Tie for FirstRecommended Articles
-
Henley Record-Holders Return HomeWhile rowers and tourists from around the world swarm the banks of the Charles River and add to the congestion
-
Old Rivals To Meet Once MoreThe Head of the Charles rolls into town today, and when it does, Radcliffe lightweight crew will not settle for
-
Sculls, Eights and Funnel Cake-A PlentyAs inhabitants of river houses were roused from their hangovers last Saturday morning by the band warm-up for the Head
-
Underdogs With BiteBoth the heavyweight and lightweight men’s varsity crew teams open this season in an unfamiliar position as underdogs. In years
-
BRIEF: Radcliffe Races Strong Despite Weather Challenges at Head of the CharlesIn the 52nd iteration of the Head of the Charles Regatta, the black and white of Radcliffe Crew topped previous performances facing some of the toughest conditions in regatta history. With tens of thousands of spectators weathering the elements, the crews benefitted strongly from the home field advantage.
