Alumni rowers braved a fierce wind and cold temperatures to celebrate the second Alumni Sprints Regatta (“ASR”) on Sunday, April 27.
Competitors, who represented more than 40 alumni affiliations, raced singles, doubles, quads, fours, and eights, in men’s, women’s and mixed events.
“The venue held up even better-than-expected despite 40 mile-per-hour gusts,” said Sydney Williams, ASR’s organizer. “We only had to cancel one event.” Mr. Williams noted extraordinary effort by volunteers and officials on the water and in the launching area, in maintaining safety and organizing the flow of boat traffic.
Dartmouth’s Ever Green Boat Club scored 145 total team points, topping the leaderboard for the second time, and won the inaugural Betteridge Cup, awarded to the alumni team-points champion. Princeton’s Fat Cat Rowing Club led all teams with 35 participants and six first-place finishes, and placed second in points with 139. Brown alumni recorded two victories. Columbia, Georgetown, Oxford, Cambridge, University of Bradford (UK), and Boston University alumni each had one. BU’s Wide Load Boat Club placed third in total points with 49.
In 2000 meter club racing, Union Boat Club, Crabtree Boat Club, Potomac Boat Club, New York Athletic Club, Greenwich Cove Sculling, and Saugatuck Rowing Club won events.
Several individuals dedicated months of preparation to making ASR a success. In particular, ASR recognizes David Stonehill, Michael Finkbeiner, Dmitri Vlasov, Kim Crocco, Ian Macmillan, Skip Parker, Jamie Snedaker, Jen Danzi, Molly Colombo, Gary Segal, and Todd Coffin.
ASR also thanks the Town of Greenwich Parks and Recreation and the many individuals and groups who dedicate themselves to keeping Greenwich Point Park a beautiful resource for everyone to enjoy.
And special thanks to ASR’s sponsors and supporters: Betteridge Jewelers, Source Capital Group, Finish Line Shell Repair, Greenwich Cove Sculling, Old Greenwich Yacht Club, Earthimage.net, Little Sculling Boat, Spike Seltzer, and Plum Catering.
“All participants pitched in in different ways, from handling equipment to helping each other launch,” added Mr. Williams. “Proof once more that rowing brings out great things in people.”
Visit www.alumnisprints.org for results and more information.
Groups interested in sponsoring the 2015 Alumni Sprints Regatta should contact Sydney Williams directly.
Ever Green Boat Club, Inc. (www.evergreenboatclub.org), a nonprofit organization, creates new opportunities in competitive rowing for Dartmouth College alumni and friends. Its community features women, men, veteran masters, recent graduates, and everyone in between. Ever Green Boat Club supports Alumni Sprints as its corporate entity and the hosting organization.