[To comment: larry@larrylitwin.com]
The 2011 Aberdeen Dad Vail Regatta, Presented by Coca-ColaR will host the
return of rowing’s premiere Amateur Single Sculling Championship event on
the Schuylkill River.
Philadelphia, PA (December 21, 2010) – The City of Philadelphia, along with
the Philadelphia Gold Challenge Cup Foundation are proud to announce the
return of the Philadelphia Challenge Cup event-The Gold Cup, at the Aberdeen
Dad Vail Regatta, Presented by Coca-ColaR, Saturday, May 14, 2011, on the
Schuylkill River.
The Philadelphia Challenge Cup is presented to the undisputed amateur single
sculling champion of the world. Inspired by John B. Kelly Sr., a
Philadelphian and 1920 Olympian (Brussels, Belgium), the newly revitalized
event will showcase the top four men and women single scullers in the world.
These elite athletes will row in separate men’s and women’s races. Each
champion will receive a newly minted commemorative of the Gold Cup along
with a prize award of $10,000. Second and third place finishers will be
awarded $5,000 and $2,500 respectfully.
“Athletics are an integral part of our city’s culture especially those
played on the scenic Schuylkill River. The storied history of the Gold Cup
Challenge is uniquely Philadelphian, and I am looking forward to watching
elite athletes compete for it again in our city,” said Mayor Michael A.
Nutter.
In restoring the Philadelphia Challenge Cup event, Philadelphia will again
play host to the top elite men and women international scullers in the
world. Last contested on the Schuylkill River in 1962, on hand today to
witness the revival of this Philadelphia tradition is John B. Kelly III,
grandson of Kelly Sr. the inspiration and first recipient of the Gold Cup,
and 1964 U.S. Olympic oarsman and 1966 Gold Cup winner, Don Spero.
About the Philadelphia Gold Challenge Cup Foundation: A private group of
Philadelphia rowing enthusiasts who rediscovered the Gold Cup and hope to
reinstate the Philadelphia Challenge Cup event and tradition to its rightful
place in single scull rowing prominence.
About the Aberdeen Dad Vail Regatta, Presented by Coca-ColaR: The largest
collegiate regatta in North America with over 100 colleges and universities
from the United States and Canada. Held annually since 1953 in
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on the Schuylkill River, thousands of student
athletes and spectators visit the City of Philadelphia during the weekend of
the second Saturday in May.
About the Schuylkill Navy: An association of amateur rowing clubs in
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Founded in 1858, it is the oldest amateur
athletic governing body in the United States. The member clubs of the Navy
are all located on the Schuylkill River where it flows through Fairmount
Park in Philadelphia, with most of the clubs being located on historic
Boathouse Row. The Navy organizes several rowing events during the year.
Many of the clubs in the Navy have a rich history and have produced a large
number of Olympic and World class competitors.
Media Contact:
For The Philadelphia Challenge Cup — Jim Murray Ltd., 856-985-0848,
JimMurrayV@aol.com
For The Schuylkill Navy — Jim DeLorenzo, Jim DeLorenzo Public Relations,
215-266-5943, jim@jhdenterprises.com
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