Lake Quinsigamond in Worcester, Mass., will see the largest USRowing Masters National Championships in the organization's history, as over 2,100 athletes prepare to compete August 18-21 for national titles in 202 events.
"For the second year in a row, Masters Nationals has set the record for the largest attended regatta USRowing has ever hosted, surpassing last year by almost 150 crews," said USRowing Events Manager A.J. Dominique. "USRowing referees, QRA volunteers, and all of the staff members will be putting in 60 hours over the racing days to make sure everyone has a great experience."
Sponsored by BNY Mellon and Connect-A-Dock, and hosted by Discover Central Massachusetts and the Quinsigamond Rowing Association, the regatta is an opportunity for masters rowers age 21 and up from across the country to compete in able-bodied and adaptive events. An estimated 2,160 participants in 2,174 boats will represent 166 clubs from 32 states and three countries.
"We look forward to welcoming all USRowing competitors and spectators to beautiful Lake Quinsigamond," said Christina Andreoli, President of Discover Central Massachusetts. "The region is ready to host a fantastic event. We'd like to thank BNY Mellon and all of the sponsors and partners, especially the Quinsigamond Rowing Association, Quinsigamond Rowing Club, the city of Worcester and the town of Shrewsbury."
Lake Quinsigamond has been hosting competitive rowing since 1857 and has played host to this regatta numerous times, most recently in 2012 when the event set a then-USRowing record with over 1,900 entries and 2,000 competitors.
Off of the water, the event features a beer garden at Regatta Point hosted by the National Rowing Foundation and Long Trail Brewing Co., athlete recovery equipment from NormaTec and USRowing's Relax and Recharge area.
"BNY Mellon is delighted to co-sponsor USRowing's Masters Nationals," said Pete Balesano, senior wealth director with BNY Mellon Wealth Management. "As the largest bank employer in Worcester County, where more than 1,200 of our employees live and work, we think it's important to support these kinds of community events."
The most popular category at this year's regatta is the men's single sculls, with 232 entries. In the women's categories, the four with coxswain boasts the most entries with 227. Massachusetts will be the best-represented state at Masters Nationals, with 20 clubs sending a total of 463 entries. Other states with a large presence at this year's championships are Connecticut (352 entries) and New York (185 entries). Community Rowing Inc. (Brighton, Mass.) will be the most represented club, sending 118 entries, followed by Cambridge Boat Club (Cambridge, Mass.) and Saugatuck Rowing Club (Westport, Conn.).
In 2015, San Diego Rowing Club (San Diego, Calif.) took home the 2015 team points title over Chinook Performance Racing and Potomac Boat Club.
Finals will be live streamed each day on USRowing's YouTube channel.