Philadelphia, PA - September 23, 2015- on October 24, 2015 eight of the biggest names in singles sculling will travel to the Schuylkill River to compete in the 2015 Philadelphia Gold Cup, hosted by the Head of the Schuylkill Regatta. "The Gold Cup is the most storied race in Philadelphia's rich rowing history," once stated the late Herb Lotman, Philadelphia Gold Cup founder. This year's male competitors will include US National Champion Andrew Campbell (US), Olympic Gold Medalist Mahé Drysdale (NZ), Olympic Silver Medalist and 2015 World Champion Ondrej Synek (CZ), and defending Gold Cup champion Kjetil Borch (NO). The female competition will consist of Olympic Bronze Medalist, 2015 World Champion and defending Philadelphia Gold Cup Champion Kim Crow (AUS), Olympian and US National Champion Genevra "Gevvie" Stone (US), Olympic Gold Medalist Miroslava "Mirka" Knapkova (CZ) and 2015 Pan American Games Gold Medalist Carling Zeeman (CAN).
The 2011 Philadelphia Gold Cup winner Iztok Cop (SI) and Mirka Knapkova (CZ) both went on to earn medals in the 2012 London Olympics. This year's competitors will all be vying for spots on their respective countries' 2016 Olympic teams. The 2015 Philadelphia Gold Cup is very likely to showcase a 2016 Olympic medalist.
The Philadelphia Gold Cup is a "sprint" race, approximately 750 meters in length. The race's shorter length is designed to foster close competition and down-to-the-wire finishes. The race will occur in the middle four lanes of the Schuylkill River, positioned perfectly to view from the grandstands along the banks of the Schuylkill River. Prize money of $10,000 will be awarded to the Champion; $5,000 for second place, $2,500 for third place and $1,000 for fourth place.
The Philadelphia Gold Cup will take place in conjunction with The Head of the Schuylkill Regatta, which is scheduled for Saturday October 24th and Sunday October 25th.
Philadelphia Gold Cup History The Philadelphia Gold Challenge Cup - Philadelphia Gold Cup was commissioned by the Schuylkill Navy in 1920 to honor the undisputed world champion in the sport of single scull rowing. It pitted the world's best amateur single male scullers against each other in a sprint race on the Schuylkill River. John B. Kelly Sr., of Philadelphia's Vesper Boat Club, was the first recipient. In the mid-1960s, the trophy and competition disappeared. In 1996 after a long absence, the trophy was rediscovered and thanks to The Gold Challenge Cup Foundation the event returned to its glory in 2011. Since its revival the competition has grown to include the world's top female scullers.
About the Head of the Schuylkill Regatta The Head of the Schuylkill Regatta began in 1971 when members of the University Barge Club decided to offer rowers, of all ages, a congenial race on the historic Schuylkill River. The Regatta's spirit of inclusion grew along with the size and scope of the event. At a time when only college crews competed in the fall "head" or distance races, the Head of the Schuylkill opened racing to high schools, emerging masters and veteran rowers. The Regatta has grown to a two-day event with more than 1650 boats made up of 7000 rowers including newly minted rowers to Olympic champions. In 2014 competitors came from 28 states, 148 cities and 10 countries. The Head of the Schuylkill Regatta is a non-profit (501C3) organization with more than 200 volunteers who work year-round to produce Philadelphia's largest and most inclusive regatta.