Just like clockwork, we are already back into the meat of the fall. Most programmes are about a month into their training, with many focusing on head races and fall scrimmages approaching. While there’s a diverse lineup of competitions to watch between now and the winter, one reigns supreme. The Head of the Charles is a shining star in the fall slate, a glimpse of fun and excitement in an otherwise grind-heavy season of preparation. From the Boston atmosphere to the massive crowds, the great racing and deep history, this is a weekend that some wait all year to enjoy. While we prepare to settle in and enjoy the three-day dopamine hit, here are some predictions to consider.
Yale University
We are very excited to see how the Bulldogs end up. With four women graduating from their champion NCAA first eight in the spring, they will certainly be feeling a shift from last year. That does not mean you should count them out, though. After finishing second to Leander Club by just three seconds in 2024, we would not be surprised if Yale came out swinging. This is only doubled by the fact that they finished behind Leander Club in 2023 as well. This won’t be very comforting for the Leander eight they’re hunting, but it will be great to watch for all of us fans.
Princeton University
After finishing sixth behind Skibbereen last year by two seconds, the Tigers are likely hungry for a top-five finish. They already made a massive jump after finishing 15th in 2023, so if they want it enough, then that spot is within their grasp. Things will, of course, be thrown off by the reintroduction of the USRowing Training Centre this year, but considering that they’re currently training neighbours, we’ll see if that has much bearing on Princeton.
Cambridge University
These overseas entrants are shaping up to be a wildcard. Last year, they finished in seventh just ahead of a scrappy Brown crew by two seconds. This summer, however, they absolutely swept The Boat Race in both men’s and women’s categories. If Cambridge can maintain the momentum, they could bring some of that great British competition across the pond to the heart of Boston.
Harvard University
Harvard finished 14th last year, after making a massive jump from 29th in 2023. With this, the Crimson finished the ‘24-‘25 season with a mainly third-year first eight, and only lost one senior from the boat for this year. All of these factors point to an auspicious position for them, and we’ll be watching closely to see just how serious they’re taking this home challenge. After being on the rise for years, we wouldn’t be surprised if the 25-’26 season was a breakout for them.
Dartmouth College
The Big Green finished 20th last year, just ahead of the Radcliffe ‘B’ boat. After a very promising spring season, this squad will likely look to make a statement against more established home crews, such as Brown or Radcliffe. We have always kept our faith in Dartmouth and continue to do so now, as we’re anxiously awaiting this way-too-early Ivy League showdown.
Leander Club
There are undoubtedly big things to be expected of Leander. After finishing fourth in 2023, they made a statement in 2024 with a three-second win over Yale. These athletes, travelling far and wide to compete, will certainly not waste their time on the Charles this year. We expect the iconic Leander Club to reclaim its first-place position, or at least secure a top-three spot. All eyes on the internationals…
USRowing Training Center – Princeton
At long last, the USRowing training squad is returning to the Charles in October. After skipping the event last year, they are back to dominate their often younger competition. In 2023, USRowing ‘A’ and ‘C’ took first and second respectively, separated by 0.2 seconds. We anxiously await their performance, especially considering potential pressure from Leander and Yale.
Other Contenders
Duke are ready to get back into racing following a shock to the system from not making it to NCAAs; the gods of rowing know they’re ready to race. We will say this many times this year, but keep an eye on the Blue Devils. A historic programme like that will be eager to bounce back and prove itself. The Head of the Charles will be their first step towards that, so be on the lookout.
Clemson will be attacking the weekend with a slightly different motivation. In their second building year with new head coach Adrienne Martelli, Clemson needs the Head of the Charles to break them onto the scene. They finished in 26th last year behind Willem III and Northeastern, so they have a big statement to make. If they can crack the top 20 and move into Dartmouth’s usual territory, the Tigers could assert themselves as a force for the 25-‘26 season.
Prediction
It’s still very early in the season, and actual speed won’t be shown yet. The Head of the Charles can be a great stepping stone for teams looking to burst onto the scene, but it’s ultimately a piece in a year-long puzzle. One noticeable omission from this year’s heat sheet is UPenn, who had a decent finish at NCAA’s in the spring. While they are likely opting for a different, more contained training plan this year, we will definitely miss their presence in Boston as the other Ivies duke it out. We cannot say for sure what will happen, especially with conditions, steering, and lineup changes, but this weekend is sure to be exciting. Be on the lookout for our recap, where we will break down the event and some individual performances, once again offering our way-too-early opinions on all things rowing.
