A view from the Dunster House belltower shows a packed Weekes Footbridge as two boats go neck-and-neck on the Charles River during the Head of the Charles Regatta yesterday.

Forty-degree temperatures and intermittent drizzling reduced the crowds at this weekend’s Head of the Charles Regatta, but over 200,000 people still thronged the river’s banks and bridges to watch the 39th running of the race.

Executive Director of the Regatta Frederick V. Schoch—who blamed the weather for keeping fans at home—estimated the turnout at 209,000 spectators, only two-thirds the number that showed up last year.

“It’s cold as all hell,” said Los Angeles Rowing Club team member Sam Dillsi as she sat on the side of the Weeks footbridge yesterday. “We had to go buy gloves because we’re from L.A., and we weren’t prepared.”

But while last year’s regatta was marked by two major collisions on the water, Director of Information Katie Steward said that no such incidents took place at this year’s event, which drew 7,000 racers.

“The regatta ran as smoothly as I’ve ever seen it,” Schoch said.

Harvard Goes to the Races

Despite the uncooperative weather, Harvard students turned out to watch the action, darting across traffic on the

Lars Anderson bridge as boats passed underneath.

“I think it would really be unfortunate to miss this experience,” said Nicole Townsend ’07, who admitted to not looking both ways before she crossed JFK St. on the bridge.

In addition to the races, some students also took interest in the accompanying shoreside spectacle.

“The fried dough is pretty good,” said Heidi E. Reiner ’05, who also took pictures of two Falun Gong followers meditating by the Charles River. “That’s what I came for.”

Student reaction to increased campus security over the weekend was also varied.

Jeremy N. King ’04 complained about the prohibition and parties and heightened security and the posting of security guards at entrances to the Yard and River Houses.

“I think the school overreacts remarkably to this regatta,” he said.

Sophia M. Hermann ’04 disagreed.