Philadelphia, PA (March 27, 2019) – The Gold Challenge Cup Foundation announced that it will host both its 2019 Men’s and Women’s International single sculling championship, as well as the final leg of the domestic U.S. Lotman Challenge®, at Cooper River Park, Camden County, NJ on Saturday, October 26, 2019.

Scot Fisher, Board Member of the Gold Challenge Cup Foundation noted “after five successful years partnering with the Head of the Schuylkill Regatta, we made the decision to separate our 2019 Gold Cup Challenge and final leg of the Lotman Challenge® from the HOSR. This gives singular focus to our mission to bring the best oarsmen and oarswomen from around the world while also educating the public, and youth in particular, about the positive, empowering nature of sculling. We certainly look forward to working with the HOSR in our areas of mutual interest.”

The decision to relocate to Cooper River racing venue allows the Gold Cup and Lotman Challenge to be the sole event. Cooper River Park is an attractive sculling destination with extensive experience hosting high level regattas such as IRA National Championships, USRowing Club Nationals, and the Stotesbury Regatta.

“We are proud of what the Gold Cup and Lotman Challenge have accomplished and could not have done this without the help of the Head of the Schuylkill Regatta on and off the water,” said Bill McNabb Chairman of the Gold Challenge Cup Foundation. “We are equally excited to be running a stand-alone event for world class athletes on the Cooper River this October.”

The Gold Cup and the Lotman Challenge are the largest purse races for men and women in elite rowing. In 2018, the Foundation awarded a total of $80,000 in prize money across both events. In addition to a previously announced new format to the 2019 Lotman Challenge, that includes an increase in prize money, the Foundation made the decision to increase the purse for the Gold Cup Challenge Race. Prize money of $15,000 will be awarded to each men’s and women’s Champion, $7,500 for second place; $3,500 for third place and $1,500 for fourth place.

The Foundation notes the Gold Cup Triple Challenge will next be contested in 2020.

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.

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Contact:
Elle Carolan
Philadelphia Gold Cup
610-715-5357
Phillygoldcup.elle@gmail.com

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