Philadelphia, PA
With The Gold Cup on display for the first time in nearly fifty years surrounded by treasured rowing memorabilia, The Gold Challenge Cup Foundation Inc. announced this week that Aberdeen Asset Management Inc. ("Aberdeen") is the title sponsor of the Philadelphia Challenge Cup event-The Gold Cup. This newly revitalized single sculling event will be held during the Aberdeen Dad Vail Regatta on Saturday, May 14, featuring for the first time four of the top men and women single scullers in the world.
The Gold Cup's elite field of international competitors will include:
Men's Race:
Ondrej Synek (Czech Republic)
Iztok Cop (Slovenia)
Luka Spik (Slovenia)
Ken Jurkowski (USA)
Women's Race:
Ekaterina Karsten (Belarus)
Mirka Knapkova (Czech Republic)
Iva Obradovic (Serbia)
Frida Svensson (Sweden)
Each race will be 2000 meters and will take place in the middle four lanes of the famed Schuylkill River course. 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. A newly minted Gold Cup medal will be given to each winner.
Foundation Chairman, Herb Lotman added, "We are thrilled to partner with Aberdeen Asset Management in recreating The Gold Cup event and bringing it back to rowing enthusiasts everywhere. Aside from the Olympics, this is the only true international single sculling event in North America. Thanks to Aberdeen's commitment to rowing excellence, fans can now watch the best scullers in the world compete on the Schuylkill River."
Gary Marshall, Chief Executive of Aberdeen Asset Management commented: "The Aberdeen Dad Vail Regatta is already a world class event. The addition of the Philadelphia Challenge Cup event takes the Regatta to a new level and re-introduces the sport of single sculling to a new generation. The history of The Gold Cup is unique and fascinating and its prestige will undoubtedly attract a loyal following. As a global asset manager, we at Aberdeen feel privileged and excited to be so closely associated with the Regatta and The Gold Cup. The commitment that goes into the sport of rowing echoes that which we set out as a standard in our business and this is an opportunity to show the best of Philadelphia, home to our U.S. headquarters, to our colleagues and clients in each of the 23 countries in which we operate, and to the public at large."
Keith Russell, Channel 6 ABC Action News sports anchor, will host the live television broadcast of the regatta and The Gold Cup competition on Saturday from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm. ESPN3 and www.DadVail.TV will live stream the Regatta live on the internet.