Head Of The Charles Great Eight Line-Up

For the 5^th time at the Head Of The Charles® Regatta, Concept2 and HUDSON are teaming up to bring together the best of the best—the top scullers in the world competing together in a sweep “Great Eight”. These Great Eights seek to dominate in the Women’s and Men’s Championship Eights event, setting out to prove they can apply their skills to big boat rowing.

Last rowed in 2014, the Women’s Great Eight captained by US sculler Gevvie Stone (Cambridge Boat Club) edged out the most decorated Eight in history, the USRowing Women’s National Team, by twenty seconds. On the men’s side, a scullers’ Great Eight (Craftsbury) rivalled a sweep Great Eight (Taurus) down the Charles River, with the top international scullers prevailing by just over 3 seconds.

The Head Of The Charles allows these Olympic athletes to row together as teammates instead of rivals. Bringing together the world’s best crews since 1965, the Head Of The Charles provides these athletes with an opportunity to race and celebrate rowing over the two-day event.

The line-ups are now confirmed for 2016, showcasing the talents of top Olympic scullers.

Rowing for the Great Eight Women:

Kimberly Brennan, Australia Gold medalist at the 2016 Rio Olympics, Silver medalist (Double Sculls) and Bronze medalist (Single Sculls) at the 2012 London Olympics.

Erin Driscoll, USA (Coxswain) Gold medalist with the 2014 Women's Great Eight, six-time medalist at the Head Of The Charles Regatta. IRA National Champion (2014), Harvard-Radcliffe Crew.

Jeannine Gmelin, Switzerland Fifth place finisher at the 2016 Rio Olympics.

Mirka Knapkova, Czech Republic Seventh place finisher at the 2016 Rio Olympics, Gold medalist at the 2012 London Olympics.

Magdalena Lobnig, Austria Sixth place finisher at the 2016 Rio Olympics.

Sanita Puspure, Ireland Single sculler at the 2016 Rio Olympics and 2012 London Olympics.

Genevra (Gevvie) Stone, USA (Captain) Silver medalist at the 2016 Rio Olympics, Seventh place finisher at the 2012 London Olympics. Six-time winner of The Head Of The Charles Championship Single Sculls.

Emma Twigg, New Zealand Fourth place finisher at the 2016 Rio Olympics, fourth at the 2102 London Olympics, ninth place finisher at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Carling Zeeman, Canada Tenth place finisher at the 2016 Rio Olympics.

Rowing for the Great Eight Men:

Julien Bahain, Canada Eighth place finisher at the 2016 Rio Olympics (Quadruple Sculls), tenth place finisher at the 2012 London Olympics (Double Sculls), Bronze medalist at the 2008 Beijing Olympics (Quadruple Sculls).

Alan Campbell, Great Britain Twelfth place finisher at the 2016 Rio Olympics, Bronze medalist at the 2012 London Olympics, fifth place finisher at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Mahé Drysdale, New Zealand (Captain) Gold medalist Single Sculler at the 2016 Rio Olympics, Gold medalist at the 2012 London Olympics, Bronze medalist at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, fifth in the 2004 Athens Olympics (in the M4-).

Rob Gibson, Canada Eighth place finisher (Quadruple Sculls) at the 2016 Rio Olympics, Silver medalist (Men's Eight) at the 2012 London Olympics.

Eric Johannesen, Germany Silver medalist (Men's Eight) at the 2016 Rio Olympics, Gold medalist (Men's Eight) at the 2012 London Olympics.

Damir Martin, Croatia Silver medalist Single Sculler at the 2016 Rio Olympics, Silver medalist (Quadruple Sculls) at the 2012 London Olympics.

James McRae, Australia Silver medalist (Quadruple Sculls) at the 2016 Rio Olympics, Bronze medalist (Quadruple Sculls) at the 2012 London Olympics, fourth place finisher (Quadruple Sculls) at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Olaf Tufte, Norway Bronze medalist (Double Sculls) at the 2016 Rio Olympics, Bronze medalist (Single Sculls) at the 2012 London Olympics, Gold medalist (Single Sculls) at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Gold medalist (Single Sculls) at the 2004 Athens Olympics, Silver (Double Sculls) at the 2004 Sydney Olympics.

Peter Wiersum, The Netherlands (Coxswain) Bronze medalist (Men's Eight) at the 2016 Rio Olympics, fifth place finisher (Men's Eight) at the 2012 London Olympics, fourth place finisher (Men's Eight) at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Both Great Eight crews will be racing HUDSON USP hulls and Concept2 oars and sculls. The USP hulls feature the latest in boat technology, carbon rigging and component innovations. Each Concept2 oar is custom-built, whether it is for the Great Eight, youth, collegiate or masters athletes. Concept2 CTS will also be on site to help competitors with any racing oar repairs and service. HUDSON provides a dedicated support team for both crews based out of the SHARK Zone adjacent to the main expo tent.

The races are provisionally scheduled for Sunday, October 23 at 1:57 pm (Men) and 2:15 pm (Women). If you’re unable to attend in person, check back at the Head Of The Charles website for details on live webcasting.

Follow all the #Great8Row news on social media with @beAshark and @Concept2.