2018 Lotman Challenge

Partnership between USRowing, the Head Of The Charles, and the Head of the Schuylkill Regattas enters its second year, awarding $10,000 prize to the winner across America’s premier regattas

 23 February 2018, Philadelphia – The Philadelphia Gold Challenge Cup Foundation announced the continued partnership with USRowing, the Head Of The Charles Regatta, and the Head of the Schuylkill Regatta to host the Herb Lotman United States Rowing Challenge in 2018.

The Philadelphia Gold Challenge Cup Foundation created the Lotman Challenge in 2017, with the hopes of encouraging more U.S. rowers to take up two oars and represent the country on the winners’ podium at international competitions. Felice Mueller and John Graves won the top prize of $9,000 in the event’s inaugural year.

The 2018 US Lotman Challenge will be comprised of three separate open weight events starting with USRowing’s first National Selection Regatta held April 17-20 in West Windsor, N.J., followed by the Head Of The Charles Regatta on October 20, and culminating at the Head of the Schuylkill Regatta on October 27. Prize money will be awarded to the top American men and women scullers accumulating the most points over the course of the three-race series.

“The board of the Gold Cup debriefed the Lotman Challenge athletes late last year and decided to run the Lotman Challenge in 2018,” said Philadelphia Gold Challenge Cup Foundation Board Member Scot Fisher. “This was an easy decision given the enthusiasm it generated. We’re looking forward to working with our partners and sponsors to make this an even better event this year.”

“USRowing is excited to partner with the Herb Lotman United States Rowing Challenge again this year and look forward to our first National Selection Regatta serving as the platform to kick off the 2018 series,” said USRowing Chief Executive Officer, Patrick McNerney. “The Lotman Challenge provides a great opportunity for U.S. scullers to showcase their talents throughout the racing season at some of the nation’s most competitive regattas and be rewarded for their efforts.”

Elite U.S. single scullers must compete in all three events to be eligible for the Herb Lotman United States Challenge Series. Rowers placing in the top 10 at NSR I are eligible for points. Rowers with cumulative points in the top eight after the championship singles race at the Head Of The Charles Regatta are eligible to compete in the final leg, a 750-meter, short-course sprint on the Gold Cup course, at the Head of the Schuylkill Regatta.

“Partnerships like the Lotman Challenge can make a profound difference in the careers of U.S. scullers,” said Jennifer Wesson, Executive Director of the Head of the Schuylkill Regatta. “By working together, we can engage a wider audience, drive support, and place the young rowers and the story of their journeys in the spotlight. The HOSR is proud to be a part of this effort.”

“HOCR is excited to continue as a partner for the second year of the Lotman Challenge,” said Brendan Mulvey, Director of Operations of the Head Of The Charles Regatta. “We look forward to more great racing in year two and hope the series continues to attract top scullers from around the country.”

At the conclusion of the series, the American sculler in the men’s and women’s divisions with the most points will receive $5,000, with second place earning $3,000, third place $1,500, fourth place $1,000, fifth place $750, sixth place $500, seventh place $300, and eighth place $200. If a rower wins all three events, the foundation will award $10,000.

Scullers interested in competing in the 2018 Herb Lotman United States Challenge must declare their intent to compete by reaching out to Elle Carolan at phillygoldcup.elle@gmail.com. Detailed information about the rules of the competition and cash prizes will be available at www.thegoldcup.org in early March. Results will be posted after each competition.

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About the Philadelphia Gold Challenge Cup Foundation

The mission of the Philadelphia Gold Challenge Cup Foundation, a 501©3 nonprofit, is to promote and educate about the sport of single scull rowing on an amateur level among the general public, particularly youth, by hosting annual competitions, educational programs and scholarships. The flagship competition held by the foundation is The Gold Cup race. The Gold Cup race is deeply rooted in Philadelphia tradition and history, with the solid gold cup and race created in the 1920s to honor the achievements of John Kelly, who won the gold medal for single sculls in the 1920 Olympics. In resurrecting both the Gold Cup trophy (found in an antique shop in the 1990s) and the race itself, the foundation is encouraging rowing among all types of people.

The Philadelphia Gold Challenge Cup Foundation introduced THE GOLD CUP TRIPLE CHALLENGE^SM competition in 2018, the first international rowing series that offers prize money of $50,000 to any rower, male or female, who places first in the following three 2018 single scull championship events – the Henley Royal Regatta, World Rowing Championships and Philadelphia Gold Cup.

Private contributions from rowing enthusiasts and Philadelphia-area corporations help fund outreach by the top-level athletes to area high school and middle school children and have funded a rowing program at a middle school in North Philadelphia. Through the rowing programs and athlete outreach, the foundation’s goal is to develop a passion for rowing, athletics and healthy lifestyles at a young age, while also promoting sculling on the international stage.

 Contact:

Elle Carolan
, Philadelphia Gold Challenge Cup Foundation +1-610-715-5357
Phillygoldcup.elle@gmail.com
Rebecca Katz, 
Philadelphia Gold Challenge Cup Foundation +1-610-241-5688
rkatzrows@gmail.com
Visit our website: www.thegoldcup.org