The very exclusive Windermere Cup is an invitation-only regatta that happened this past Saturday, May 4, in Seattle’s Mountlake Cut. The Bainbridge Island Rowing Girls’ Varsity 4+ boat was invited to race for the Colin Sykes Cup. BIR competed against Commencement Bay, Claremont Sports Institute, and perennial rival Holy Names Academy.
Although BIR came in fourth, the crew narrowed the gap over the year before between them and the three other powerhouse teams.
BIR Masters teams—the Men’s 8+ 50 and over team and the Women’s 8+ 60 and over team—also competed in the event. Like the Varsity Girls, both Masters teams also came in fourth. The men raced against Station L Rowing Club, Sammamish Rowing Association, and Mt. Baker Crew. The women raced against Conibear Rowing Club, Sammamish Rowing Association, and Vashon Island Rowing Club.
Windermere Real Estate Founder and Bainbridge Islander John Jacobi launched the event 33 years ago in partnership with the University of Washington. The very first Windermere Cup hosted the Soviet Union’s men’s and women’s crews.
Each year, the last race of the Windermere Cup regatta is followed by the Seattle Yacht Club’s Opening Day Boat Parade on the Opening Day of the annual boating season. This year’s event consisted of 24 races involving more than 1,000 rowers.
Photo by Olivia Gangmark-Strickland.
