5000 athletes take part in the 80th Stotesbury Cup

by Brian Roman/Ashley Lerch on 22 May 2006 Fairmount Park is abuzz with a mix of anticipation and excitement as people manoeuvre around the numerous trailers, boats, and tents that have formed a second city on the banks of the Schuylkill River.

The smell of hot dogs and hamburgers cooking on grills fills the air. A 58-foot boat approaches, carried on the shoulders of high school students dressed in navy unisuits. The coxswain shouts directions to his teammates to avoid colliding with all those milling about the area.

Hundreds of multicolored tents line the banks of the river. The crowds, first quiet and relaxed, suddenly are up on their feet, and the air is ringing with cheers, cowbells, whistles, and other noisemakers as the boats come charging toward the finish line. Bodies and oars move in perfect synchronization as the boats cut through the water. One can easily see the determination, concentration, and strain on the athletes' faces as they build momentum for the final sprint.

The Stotesbury Cup Regatta has been a Philadelphia rowing tradition for 80 years, and it is the ultimate way to experience the essence of rowing. It is not only the oldest but also the largest high school regatta in the country, with more than 5,000 student athletes from 173 schools across the United States and Canada participating. The regatta attracts the very best.

On May 19 and 20, 2006, crews will compete on the Schuylkill River's 1,500-meter course in historic Fairmount Park, from Strawberry Mansion Bridge downstream to the Columbia Railroad Bridge. The regatta features 27 championship events, categorized according to boat size and the age of the rowers. The event will be action-packed, with races beginning every six minutes.

Time trials for all teams are held Friday morning, with the fastest 12 or 18 boats advancing to the semifinals that afternoon and Saturday morning. Top boats from the semifinals will row in the finals on Saturday afternoon, starting at 1:00 pm. The format of the Stotesbury Cup Regatta demands the very best of the competitors if they wish to take home a coveted medal.

Head out to Fairmount Park this weekend and join the many spectators celebrating the 80th year of the Stotesbury Cup Regatta. Enjoy a great day in the park. Bring a picnic, bike, dog, and a few friends to show your support for all the high school athletes during this spring rowing season.

http://www.stotesburycup.com/