Ukraine, Duke, Clemson rowing teams coming to High Point
Sep. 30—HIGH POINT — The Ukraine Olympic women's rowing team will be coming to the United States to race women's crews from Duke and Clemson University at the High Point Autumn Rowing Festival on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2023.
Up to 800 rowers and thousands of spectators from surrounding states are expected for the annual rowing festival on High Point's Oak Hollow Lake, where races are scheduled to run all day starting at 9 a.m. in youth, collegiate and adult boat classes.
Ukraine, Duke and Clemson will headline the rowing festival when they race for the Lenny Peters Cup at 10 a.m. Crews will line up at Skeet Club Bridge and race to the center of Oak Hollow Lake, where they will make a 180-degree turn around a giant inflatable duck and race back to the main channel before turning toward the finish line at Festival Park.
The Ukrainian rowers, who recently won the quad sculls at the European Rowing Championships, are currently training in Warsaw, Poland, as war continues in their homeland.
Race organizers have started a PayPal fundraising page to help offset the cost of bringing the Ukraine rowers and coaches to North Carolina. This includes airfare, lodging, and food, regatta director Gene Kininmonth said.
"We are also raising money to support the team's future training and competition expenses. All funds raised will 100% directly fund Ukraine rowing expenses here in the USA, and any balance will be given directly to the Ukraine women's team to continue its Olympic pursuits," he said.
The festival will also feature beach music and food trucks serving coffee, slushies, burgers and tacos.
The regatta at Festival Park at Oak Hollow Lake,1841 Eastchester Drive, is open to the general public, and admission is free. Parking is $10. Races begin at 9 a.m.
