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1st Annual Rocketts Landing Regatta APRIL 10, 2004 VCU * University of Richmond * Old
Dominion University * William & Mary On Saturday morning, April 10, 2004, the historic Richmond waterfront will once again be the site of collegiate rowing, as crews from Virginia Commonwealth University, University of Richmond, Old Dominion University, and William and Mary College compete in 2000 metre sprints finishing by the City of Richmond Intermediate Terminal by Dock and Water Streets. The Intermediate Terminal is adjacent to the VBC boathouse and Rocketts Landing. Directions to VBC Boathouse. Each of the schools will bring men's and women's four and eight-oared shells. The regatta will start at 10:00AM with the women's fours and finish with the prestigious heavy-weight eights. Heavily favored William and Mary will face spirited ODU crews that are now in their second decade of rowing. VCU is expected to launch fast fours in both the women's and men's categories. Coached by VBC elite oarsman Dan LeBlanc, the VCU crew has gained a reputation for clean bladework, even stroking, and last minute surges. Spectators can watch the crews battle upstream over the 2000 metre course by standing by the Intermediate Terminal dock or on the banks of the Virginia Boat Club and Rocketts Landing site at 4708 Old East Main Street. The Regatta marks the return of formal collegiate racing to the downtown waters, last occurring in 1973. This year's regatta features a reunion of VCU crews with the current VCU rowing club. VCU crew raced for over a half century from the Virginia Boat Club boathouse on Mayo's Island until 1973. The University of Richmond also rowed from the VBC boathouse through the 1950s. Co-sponsored by the Virginia Boat Club and Virginia Commonwealth University Crew, the Regatta is generously underwritten by Rocketts Landing, LLC. Luncheon concession has been made available through the generosity of the AFL-CIO Pipe-Fitters Union. All proceeds benefit the VCU Crew team. For more information, Contact Paul Georgiadis at 353.6179 or Hoyarow77@aol.com Paul D. Georgiadis, VBC President |