Excitement Builds for Brown Cup Race on the Gorge Waterway

Action on the Gorge waterway begins at 1 p.m.

The highly anticipated Brown Cup is set to take place today, showcasing the fierce competition between the University of Victoria Vikes and UBC Thunderbirds in a thrilling 3.5-kilometre match-race down the Gorge. This annual event is a spectacle in Canadian rowing, drawing in hundreds of spectators to witness the intense rivalry between these two powerhouse programs.

The varsity races are scheduled to kick off at 1:05 p.m. for the men and 1:25 p.m. for the women, following the reserve crews who will race earlier in the day. The course runs from Gorge Narrows to the Steamship Restaurant in the Inner Harbour, providing plenty of vantage points for fans to catch the action.

Both teams boast a rich history of producing Olympic-caliber rowers, adding an extra layer of excitement to the competition. The UVic men’s team currently leads the all-time Brown Cup series but are hungry for their first championship since 2018. Meanwhile, the UVic women’s team, led by defending Brown Cup champions, are looking to maintain their dominance over UBC with a 26-4 all-time series lead.

Head coaches Aalbert Van Schothorst and Jane Gumley are confident in their respective crews, with standout athletes like Giancarlo DiPompeo and Ellie Sousa leading the charge for the Vikes. The atmosphere is expected to be electric as the teams battle it out on the water, with the backdrop of the Selkirk Trestle and Johnson Street Bridge adding to the excitement.

Don’t miss out on this thrilling display of athleticism and sportsmanship as the Brown Cup unfolds on the Gorge waterway today. Stay tuned for updates on the results and highlights from this prestigious event.