The University of Washington will compete against the senior crews of the Great Britain national team May 3 in the 28th version of the Windermere Cup Regatta on the Montlake Cut. The annual event, held in conjunction with the Seattle Yacht Club, launches the boating season in Seattle. The races, free to the public, begin at 10:20 a.m.
The Windermere Cup began in 1987 when the world champion crews from the Soviet Union came to Seattle to race as part of the community’s effort to highlight the unique racing venue the Montlake Cut offers rowing. This year the races will get back to their roots of hosting one international team after hosting two teams for the last several years.
“We want to encourage the very best teams to come race in the Pacific Northwest and Windermere’s sponsorship has allowed us to do that,” said UW men’s head coach Michael Callahan. “We’re really excited to have such a high-caliber team coming to race us.”
“Over the years, it has always been the goal of Windermere and the University of Washington to get the best level of competition here for the Windermere Cup,” said head women’s coach Bob Ernst.
“This year we have definitely achieved that. Great Britain has the best national and Olympic rowing team in the world, winning more Olympic medals in London (2012) than any other country, and we are honored to have a team of this caliber coming to Seattle to race our Huskies. We have not faced a team this good since the Soviets visited here in the very first Windermere Cup in 1987.”