The third annual CBC Invitational Regatta held on Saturday, July 16th in the words of many of the competitors, “Couldn’t have been better.” And indeed it was a great day on and off the water for the nine teams that came from as far away as Pittsburg and as near as CRI and Union Boat Club.
Each team comprised 10 men and 10 women who had to be placed strategically in an eight, a quad, two doubles and a four with coxswain all to the end of producing the fastest cumulative time for all five boats to cover the course. And unlike the Head of the Charles, the Invitational course started at CBC went down river to a turning stake and back up to the finish at CBC; a challenge for the rowers and lots of excitement for the spectators. And to make the race even more competitive and fun, this year’s race was handicapped so that teams of all ages had a chance of winning.
CBC entered two and a half teams. Jim Pierce captained CBC Blue; Susan Karcz, CBC White; and Paul Hoffman, CBC Burgee, a composite team of CBCers and friends from Upper Valley and Lawrence Rowing Clubs.
The race went off like clockwork into blue skies and flat water. UBC with a team averaging 32 years took the early lead with a powerful 8+ and 4X. Narragansett countered with an exceptional 4X and a strong 2X. CBC Blue’s own powerful 4X followed by Gregg and Gevvie Stone in the 2X closed the gap for the Blue team. It all came down to the last leg with CBC Blue earning the win with a fast 4+ followed by Narragansett and then Union.
Off the water, all the crews gathered for a superlative lunch put on by Kristin Johnson, Janet Solomon and Nancy Hendrickson. Who could ask for anything more.
The Club extends its thanks to the more than 40 volunteers whose good will, initiative and commitment made the regatta such a success. They did the Club proud.
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