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For four decades, the Windermere Cup has brought together world-class rowing, Seattle tradition, and community celebration on the shores of the Montlake Cut. This year’s 40th annual Windermere Cup weekend carried that legacy forward in memorable fashion, with exciting international competition, a sold-out Party on the Cut, and the return of the Media Cup—all leading into one of Seattle’s most beloved spring traditions.
What began in 1987 as a partnership between Windermere Real Estate, the University of Washington, and the Seattle Yacht Club has grown into one of the premier rowing events in the world and a defining part of Opening Day of Boating in Seattle. The original vision was to showcase the excellence of UW Rowing and the Montlake Cut by bringing the world’s best competition to Seattle. That first year featured crews from the Soviet Union in one of the few athletic competitions held between the Soviet Union and the United States in more than two decades.
40 years later, the Windermere Cup continues to honor that vision, bringing together elite athletes, passionate fans, longtime community partners, and generations of Seattle tradition.
Media Cup Returns for Its 13th Year
Windermere Cup week officially kicked off on Tuesday, April 28th, with the 13th annual Media Cup, where four of Seattle’s television stations took to the water to compete for bragging rights and to support nonprofits of their choice that are making a difference in our community.
This year, KOMO 4 returned with redemption in mind, taking first place and earning a $2,000 donation for the USO Northwest. KIRO 7 placed second and donated $1,500 to The Salvation Army Northwest Division, while KING 5 secured third place and donated $1,000 to Northwest Harvest. FOX 13 rounded out the field and donated $500 to Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center after taking home first place in last year’s race.
Continuing another meaningful Media Cup tradition, the Windermere Foundation also presented a $5,000 donation to the George Pocock Rowing Foundation, an organization dedicated to helping young people access and experience the life-changing sport of rowing.
A Sold-Out Night at Party on the Cut
On Friday evening, the community gathered once again for the 8th annual Party on the Cut. The sold-out event has become a staple of Windermere Cup weekend, bringing together rowing fans, community members, and supporters of the Windermere Foundation for an unforgettable night on the shores of the Cut.
Guests enjoyed live music from Nite Wave, Seattle’s premier ‘80s new wave tribute band, along with Hysteria, the ultimate Def Leppard tribute band, along with local food trucks, drinks, and the return of the Twilight Sprints, where the women’s crews from Great Britain Rowing, Rowing Canada Avion, and the University of Washington gave spectators a preview of Saturday’s competition.
From the music to the food trucks, volunteers, vendors, and community partners who helped bring the evening to life, Party on the Cut once again delivered a memorable kickoff to Windemere Cup weekend. Support from partners like Gentle Giants Moving Company, the official moving partner of Windermere Cup, and Sentry Computing, the official bar partner for Party on the Cut, helped make the celebration possible.
As always, proceeds from Party on the Cut benefited the Windermere Foundation and its ongoing mission to support low-income and homeless families throughout the Western U.S.
Celebrating 40 Years of Partnership
Saturday morning brought thousands of spectators back to the Montlake Cut as Seattle’s Opening Day of Boating Season once again paired with one of the city’s most iconic sporting traditions.
The Windermere Cup would not exist without the longstanding partnership between Windermere, the University of Washington, and the Seattle Yacht Club. For more than 100 years, the Seattle Yacht Club has organized Seattle’s Opening Day celebration, while UW Rowing has built one of the most respected rowing programs in the world. Together, those partnerships have transformed the Montlake Cut into an internationally recognized racing venue and one of the most unique settings in the sport.
Adding to the celebration was the appearance of the historic Malibu boat, which served as the lead boat in the Opening Day Boat Parade as it celebrated its 100th anniversary. The Malibu has long been connected to both Seattle Yacht Club history and the legacy of Windermere founder John Jacobi, making its presence this year an especially meaningful tribute to the people, partnerships, and traditions that have shaped Windermere Cup over the past 40 years.
International Competition Returns to Seattle
This year’s featured Windermere Cup races welcomed elite crews from Great Britain, Canada, Northeastern University, and the University of Washington.
The women’s Windermere Cup race featured a strong international field, with the GB Rowing Team women’s crew taking first place, followed by UW Women’s Purple in second, Rowing Canada Aviron in third, and UW Women’s Gold in fourth.
The men’s race delivered one of the most exciting finishes in recent Windermere Cup history. Racing against the current Olympic gold medal-winning GB Rowing Team men’s crew, the University of Washington Rowing men secured a dramatic photo-finish victory in front of the home crowd. Northeastern rounded out the field in third place.
Official race results and final standings are available here.
Forty years after its founding, the Windermere Cup continues to represent far more than a rowing race. It remains a celebration of Seattle’s community spirit, international competition, waterfront traditions, and the partnerships that have made the event possible for generations.
Here’s to 40 years on the Cut, and to many more ahead!
