Thanks to Carl Praizale for providing over 150 pictures from the Hooch and Boston.
This year CYC sent two boats to the Head of the Charles Regatta. This is an international event held in Boston annually and attracts elite rowers from around the world. It is considered a homecoming for former US National Team members. Kate Cavazza and Henri Durand rowed a mixed para double and Phil Gilmore, Paul Jeffrey, Tom Phillips and Carl Parziale rowed a 4+ coxed by Dan Gilbert. The races were the weekend of October 21 and the New England weather was as expected. It started out dreary and turned worse.
The 4+ headed down to the starting line in a light drizzle. During the race it may or may not have rained. The rowers were oblivious and rowed hard and well. Finishing 7th (with the first two boats hailing from England,) the boat took solace in the fact that all boats who were faster were substantially younger. Although the boats are segregated by age, the spread is ten years and CYC was in the older part of the bracket.
The double began their trek to the starting line hours before the race. This allowed them to participate in meaningful para events but lead to a long day before the race. By the time they actually were warming up and preparing to go down the course, the heavens had opened. Visibility became limited and the Head of the Charles is tortuous and noted for its difficulty. The normally intrepid cheering squad from CYC watched the live stream from the comforts of a hotel room. The boat finished a respectable 13th in a field of many Olympians.
Who expects to row in the 70’s in November? Those were the high temperatures for the Head of the Hooch in Chattanooga, Tennessee on November 4 and 5. The weather was perfect: clear skies, cool mornings, and warm afternoons.
Once again, CYC performed admirably. The club was 4th overall among more than 90 masters rowing clubs that competed in the event. We raced 18 boats in 14 events and brought home 2 gold, 3 silver, and 2 bronze medals. CYC should be especially proud because we achieved these results as a club with no composite crews.
Saturday started out strong when the CYC took bronze in the Men’s Open Quad race. An open race is one where there is no handicap for age. Our boat was the only non-composite boat in the medals. Congratulations go to Hill Awmiller, Phil Hughston, Peter Hunt, and Kevin Dalton for a great race!
Following that victory, Carl Parziale, Jenn Moore, Melissa McGuire, and Phil Gilmore just missed medaling in the Mixed Quad, coming in 4th after three composite crews.
Following suit, Pete Stanislaw, Rich Rabassa, and Dick and Bob Fuller, coxed by Katie Vogel came in 4th in the Men’s Four.
CYC was back in the medals later that day when each of our two boats medaled in the Men’s 8+. In the over-50 group, we finished second with Tom Phillips at stroke seat, followed by Paul Jeffrey, Phil Gilmore, Carl Parziale, Kevin Dalton, Henri Durand, Bob Fuller and Dick Fuller. Beth Geiger did a masterful job coxing, at one point having to thread the boat between two competitors who were slow to yield the line. The younger boat took bronze. Katie Vogel coxed, with Phil Hughston at stroke seat, followed by Pete Stanislaw, Rich Rabassa, Hill Awmiller, Peter Hunt, Marek Ranis, David Lewis, and Matt Bartoldus.
On Sunday, Kate Cavazza and Henri Durand won the Para-Mixed Double, beating the next boat by almost 4 minutes. What a race!
Next, the Mixed Four 50+, coxed by Katie Vogel came in fourth. Sharon Arnett led the crew, followed by Rich Rabassa, Pete Stanislaw, and Jenn Moore at bow.
To put us back in the medals, two CYC crews took medals in the Men’s Quad. The Under-50 boat won gold and the Over-50 boat took silver. Kevin Dalton stroked the gold-medal boat, followed by Phil Hughston, Marek Ranis, and Matt Bartoldus at bow. The silver-medal crew consisted of Carl Parziale at stroke seat, followed by Tom Phillips, Paul Jeffrey, and Phil Gilmore at bow.
Bob and Dick Fuller once again medaled in the Pair, taking home the silver. The Pair is a boat with two rowers and two oars and is generally considered to be the most difficult boat to row.
And, in what can only be described as the “Catawba Way,” eight club-members and Beth Geiger, as coxswain, launched a Mixed 8+, having never previously rowed this boat together. Some in the boat had not sweep-rowed for a year and Pete Stanislaw rowed on the opposite side of his normal position. Although the boat took 6th place, it was definitely a fun row!
The Hooch was the first-time racing for some new CYC rowers. We welcome and congratulate Caitlin Cary and Serena Apostal. Caitlin rowed a Double with Jenn Moore and she and Serena both rowed a Women’s’ Quad with Rhonda Stewart and Carolyn Noble.
Last but certainly not least, recognition goes to all the people who helped with the logistics of racing: hauling oars, shoes, water bottles and more. They worked at the event while the rest of us had fun.
Several of the support crew didn’t compete. Some don’t even row. Lisa Phillips deserves a special shout-out for her organization and coordination of the efforts. Our helpers were there when we needed them. Many thanks!!
Head of the South – Augusta, GA – November 11, 2023
A contingent of ten rowers and several helpers went to Augusta to participate in the Head of the South Regatta. Weather conditions were less than ideal, with a chilly rain blanketing the event almost all day. Despite that, the group had a good time and performed very well. CYC finished first in points in the Masters category, more than triple the points for 2nd place. Our rowers took gold medals in four of five races, with a silver medal in the fifth race, giving the composite crew of Chinook a good run.
