No. 1 Washington Welcomes Cal For 2021 Windermere Cup

Two of the biggest annual events on the Washington Rowing schedule come together as one this year as, this Saturday, May 1, Washington hosts the annual Windermere Cup, held this year as a dual regatta vs. California.
 
Following guidance issued by the State of Washington and our public health agencies, and in accordance with Phase 3 Spectator Event COVID-19 Guidance, all fans of Washington Rowing to enjoy the 2021 Windermere Cup via the live video stream at GoHuskies.com/Live. There will not be a log boom along the race course.
 
"Windermere Real Estate came together the Washington Rowing to bring the historic UW/Cal dual to the Montlake Cut for the Windermere Cup in 2021," said OB Jacobi, Co-President of Windermere Real Estate. "You'll have to watch the races via live stream from the comfort of your home this year, but we'll see you down there in 2022 for our biggest celebration yet – the Windermere Cup's 35th anniversary!"
 
The Washington and Cal varsity eights will square off in two featured races of the day, the men's and women's Windermere Cup, as well as in other boats. Several other Northwest college programs will also have entries in other races (entries are still being finalized). Here is the schedule for the regatta: 
 
8:45 a.m. – Men's Open Event
8:52 a.m. – Women's Open Event
8:59 a.m. – Men's Collegiate V4+
9:06 a.m. – Women's Collegiate V4+
9:13 a.m. – Men's Collegiate 3v8+
9:20 a.m. – Women's Collegiate 3v8+/Novice 8+
9:30 a.m. – Men's Cascade Cup
9:40 a.m. – Women's Cascade Cup
9:55 a.m. – Men's Windermere Cup
10:10 a.m. – Women's Windermere Cup
 
"Every spring, the Windermere Cup and the Cal Dual are two of the biggest dates in the world of collegiate rowing and for Washington Rowing," said Washington men's head coach Michael Callahan. "To be able to combine the two will make for a very exciting day of racing. We are grateful to all those who have put in so much work to make this happen."
 
"We may not have the yachts and the traditional Opening Day parade and crowds this year, but thanks to Windermere Real Estate, the Seattle Yacht Club and the Coast Guard, the 2021 Windermere Cup is on," said Yasmin Farooq, Washington's women's head coach. "We're excited to bring the event to our fans and give them a front row seat to one of the best rowing races to take place in the country this year."
 
Thanks to support from Windermere Real Estate, the UW will provide a free, live, multi-camera, video stream, via the Pac-12's video portal. The easiest way to find the live stream is to go to GoHuskies.com/Live.
 
Last year, the entire college season was canceled, meaning that there was neither a Windermere Cup, nor the Cal Dual. This year marks the 34th year of the Windermere Cup, which was first held in 1987 and usually features an international opponent as well as other collegiate programs, plus juniors and masters races.
 
Washington men's rowing team first raced against California in 1903 and had held the Dual every year since 1947 up until 2020. The two teams race for the Schoch Cup, named after Delos Schoch of Washington's class of 1936. UW currently leads the varsity series 75-32-1.
 
The first women's UW-Cal Dual was in 1977, and it had been contested every year since until last spring. The women vie for the Simpson Cup, the trophy for which was donated in 2003 by longtime Husky Crew supporters Hunter and Dottie Simpson, whose daughter Anne rowed at Cal. Washington leads the all-time series, 23-20, in varsity eight races.
 
Washington comes into the regatta with the No. 1 national ranking in the most recent men's and women's polls. California is ranked No. 2 in the IRCA Men's Varsity Eight poll, while the Cal women are currently No. 5 in the Pocock CRCA Poll, presented by USRowing. 
 
Following the Windermere Cup, the Huskies will head into the postseason. Both the men and women will seek to defend their three consecutive conference titles at the Pac-12 Championships, Sunday, May 16, at Lake Natoma (Gold River, Calif.).
 
Two weeks later, the men will row at the Intercollegiate Rowing Association Championship (May 28-29) at Mercer Lake in New Jersey, while the women head to Nathan Benderson Park in Sarasota, Fla., for the 2021 NCAA Championships, May 28-30.