The Head of the Charles rolls into town today, and when it does, Radcliffe lightweight crew will not settle for second best.

“Our goal this year is to be the top women’s lightweight college like last year, and to try to be the top crew overall,” said co-captain Elizabeth Tisei.

Last year, the Black and White lightweight eight finished second in its field only to Riverside Rowing club, whose crew traditionally serves as a feeder for national teams.

Radcliffe will only enter one boat in eights competition this year because the crew did not qualify the second entry for the lightweight fours event, which is based on the previous year’s finish.

At least one Radcliffe alumni boat, however, has entered this year’s fours event.

Three’s A Crowd

In addition to the high level of competition from around the world, Radcliffe feeds off the atmosphere surrounding the regatta.

“Head of the Charles is my favorite race the entire year,” senior Laura Spence said. “It is the most amazing feeling to pass Weeks Bridge and Weld Boat House and hear the cheering spectators as you row by. It’s utterly inspiring.”

“It’s a great event and we’re lucky to have it at home,” lightweight coach Cecile Tucker ’91 agreed.

Tucker knows from experience, having competed in the regatta while a student on Radcliffe heavyweight crew.

“It is by far the highlight of the fall,” she added. “It’s the best rowing gets as far as a spectator goes.”

As Tisei pointed out, the home crowd cheer will not be the only thing inspiring the Black and White on Saturday.

In recent years, Princeton, Radcliffe and Wisconsin lightweight crews have emerged as a triumvirate of sorts on the water, vying with one another for sole claim of best on the water. The Head of the Charles regatta is no different.

Spence recalls the extra incentive that propelled the team forward at last year’s regatta.

“Last year we started right ahead of Princeton. Since we faced backwards the entire way, we watched them the entire time rowing,” Spence said. “Seeing them rowing behind us really pushed us on our way and motivated us to keep going harder.”