2017 Great Eight Athletes (Updated)

Concept2 CTS and HUDSON are teaming up once again to bring together the best of the best—the top scullers in the world competing together in a sweep “Great Eight” at the Head Of The Charles® Regatta. These composite crews look to compete against the fastest national, collegiate and club teams in the Women’s and Men’s Championship Eight events.

For the 6^th annual Great Eights, we're excited to introduce the next generation of athletes. This year marks the beginning of a new Olympic quadrennial, with fresh faces heading to Boston after the World Rowing Championships in Sarasota, Florida (September 23-Oct. 1).

Rowing for the Great Eight Women:

Ieva Adomaviciute, Lithuania Gold medalist at the 2016 World Rowing Under 23 Championships.

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. Gold medalist at the 2017 World Cups I & III.

Magdalena Lobnig, Austria Sixth place finisher at the 2016 Rio Olympics. Gold medalist at the 2017 World Cup II.

Felice Mueller, USA Fourth place finisher at the 2016 Rio Olympics (Women's Pair). Fourth place finisher at the 2017 World Cup III.

Sanita Puspure, Ireland Single sculler at the 2016 Rio Olympics and 2012 London Olympics. Fifth place finisher at the 2017 World Cup I.

Lisa Scheenaard, The Netherlands 2017 Princess Grace Challenge Cup Champion, Henley Royal Regatta (Quadruple Sculls). Silver medalist at the 2017 World Cup I and the 2017 European Rowing Championships (Double Sculls). Silver medalist at the 2017 World Cup III (Quadruple Sculls). 2016 Princess Royal Challenge Cup Champion, Henley Royal Regatta. Gold medalist at the 2016 SilverSkiff Regatta

Annekatrin Thiele, Germany Gold medalist at 2016 Rio Olympics (Quadruple Sculls). Bronze medalist at the 2017 European Rowing Championships.

Carling Zeeman, Canada (Captain) Tenth place finisher at the 2016 Rio Olympics. Silver medalist at the 2017 World Cup III.

Rowing for the Great Eight Men:

John Graves, USA Racing in the Double Sculls at the 2017 World Rowing Championships. Bronze medalist at the 2017 Olympic Qualification Regatta (Quadruple Sculls).

Robbie Manson, New Zealand (Captain) Gold medalist at the 2017 World Cups II & III.

Damir Martin, Croatia Silver medalist at the 2016 Rio Olympics, Silver medalist (Quadruple Sculls) at the 2012 London Olympics. Silver medalist at the 2017 European Rowing Championships and World Cup I.

Conlin McCabe, Canada Fourth place finisher at the 2016 Rio Olympics (Men's Four), Silver medalist at the 2012 London Olympics (Men's Eight). Seventh place finisher at the 2017 World Cup III (Double Sculls).

Tim Ole Naske, Germany Gold medalist at the 2016 World Rowing Under 23 Championships. Fifth place finisher at the 2017 European Rowing Championships. Fourth place finisher at the 2017 World Cup II.

Sverri Nielsen, Denmark Sixth place finisher at the 2016 European Rowing Championships. Fifth place finisher at the 2017 World Cup III.

Paul O'Donovan, Ireland Gold medalist at the 2017 World Rowing Championships (Lightweight Men's Single). Silver medalist at the 2017 European Rowing Championships (Lightweight Men's Double). Silver medalist the 2016 Rio Olympics (Lightweight Men's Double).

Nico Stahlberg, Switzerland Gold medalist at the 2017 World Cup I. Bronze medalist at the 2017 World Cup II.

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.

Great Eight crews will be racing HUDSON USP hulls with 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 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 22 at 1:48 p.m. (Men) and 2:22 p.m. (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.

Updated October 16, 2017: Angel Fournier Rodriguez, Cuba, will not be able to row with the Great Eight this year. Paul O'Donovan has been added to the Great Eight line up.