VICTORIA - The University of Victoria rowing teams take on the University of British Columbia at the annual Brown Cup regatta, Saturday, April 5, on Victoria's Gorge Waterway.

A friendly challenge becomes a legacy
In 1991, University of Victoria men's rower Howard Campbell and University of British Columbia's Joe Dowd conceived a friendly duel between their crews. By 1992, the women's race was added, and the Brown Cup quickly became an annual staple.

But what began as a simple race has evolved into something much greater. Now, it is a proving ground for elite Canadian rowers, many of whom go on to compete at national and Olympic levels.

The Brown Cup is more than just a race; it is Canada's answer to the legendary Oxford vs. Cambridge Boat Race and Harvard vs. Yale Regatta. Like these historic rivalries, it is defined by pride, tradition, and the pursuit of victory.

Unlike the long-distance format of Oxford vs. Cambridge's 6.8 km race on the Thames or Harvard-Yale's gruelling 4-mile course, the Brown Cup is a pure sprint—a head-to-head test of power and precision over a tight, technical course. There is no room for error, no second chances—the Brown Cup is a battle of who wants it more.

A course that tests the best
Beyond its intense head-to-head duel format, what sets this race apart is the strategic gamesmanship required to navigate the unpredictable open water course. The coxswain plays a pivotal role, steering the boat, finding the fastest line, and keeping the crew motivated while ensuring fair play and avoiding collisions with the opposing team.

After a powerful sprint start, the crews hit their first tactical test around 1.3 km in as they approach the Selkirk Trestle—this is where you see who's in control and whether the inside advantage comes into play. The 600m push to the Bay Street Bridge is the mid-race grind, where endurance meets strategy. As the teams near the Johnson Street Bridge, it becomes a mental and physical war of attrition—undoubtedly the best spot to watch the drama unfold.

The race's final and often most exciting leg is a 750m sprint and all-out surge to the finish line in Victoria's inner harbour.



Storylines to watch in 2025

• The women's rowing team is looking for redemption after falling in both varsity and reserve races at last year's Brown Cup. The national champion Vikes, who fell to UBC in the women's eight (8+) at CURCs is hoping to get back on top by adding new faces to their varsity and reserve crews.
   
• The men's team is in search of their first Brown Cup victory since the 2018 season, having won 20 to UBC's 12 since the race's inception.
   
• Third-year transfer Zoe Scogna will make her varsity eight (8+) debut in the bow seat. The Portland, Oregon, product spent two seasons rowing at Division 1 Loyola Marymount University (LMU) before transferring to UVic when LMU cut its rowing programs.
   
• First-year standout and lightweight rower Kate Watson will also make her first appearance in the varsity eight (8+). Watson has had an outstanding rookie season, winning gold medals with both the lightweight four (4+) and the lightweight double (2x) at the Western Canadian University Rowing Championship followed by a silver medal in the lightweight double (2x) at CURCs. Watson also represented Canada at the World Rowing Under 19 Championship last summer.
   
• CURC Female Athlete of the Year, Sai Sai Faubert, will row the two seat for the varsity crew. Another lightweight rower, Faubert is coming off CURC gold medals in the lightweight single (1x) and the lightweight four (4+) to mark the program's first gold medal in the event since 2011. She also represented Canada in the lightweight four (4+) at last summer's U23 World Rowing Championship.
   
• Rowing Canada U23 Male Athlete of the Year and Rowing BC Athlete of the Year Giancarlo DiPompeo is looking to cap off a banner season with a Brown Cup title. The fourth-year athlete will row the bow seat for the men's varsity crew. DiPompeo is coming off a successful CURC campaign where he won silver in the lightweight single (1x), bronze in the lightweight double (2x), and bronze in the lightweight four (4+). DiPompeo delivered standout performances at the 2024 National Rowing Championships in Welland, ON, taking gold in the U23 men's single (1x) and silver in the open men's single (1x). He also won a silver medal in the lightweight single (1x) at last summer's FISU World Rowing Championship.
   
• Andrew Hubbard, a fourth-year transfer from Queens University, will stroke the varsity crew at this year's Brown Cup, having had a strong showing this season, earning a CURC bronze medal in the single (1x). Hubbard has represented Canada at the U23 World Rowing Championship, the FISU World Rowing Championship and the Pan-American qualification regatta.
   
• First-year athlete Quin McCoy out of the Claremont Sports Institute will make his debut in the varsity eight (8+) in the seven seat. McCoy, who represented Canada at the World Rowing Under 19 Championship and the FISU World University Championship, has shown steady improvement to make a big step to the varsity crew as a rookie.
   
• Former Vikes soccer player Conor Dillon will be in the varsity crew's four seat. Coming from a family of rowing legends, Dillon is the son of two-time Canadian Olympic gold medalist and Hall of Fame rower Kirsten Barnes, while his father, Terry Dillon, represented England in the 1988 and 1992 Summer Olympics. After spending his first year at UVic with the men's soccer program, Dillon made the switch to rowing where he has continued to find his stride.

*Canadian national team member Victor Lefebvre is currently injured and unable to compete.

View the full rosters for the varsity and reserve crews:  2025 men's teams and 2025 women's teams.  

The Brown Cup is more than just a race—it's a talent pipeline for Canadian rowing. Many Brown Cup alumni have gone on to represent Canada at the World Championships, Olympics, and beyond. The 2025 event will mark yet another opportunity for UVic to solidify it's spot as the top programs in the country.

For more information and historical results, visit browncup.ca.

Event details:
Vikes vs. Thunderbirds at Brown Cup
Saturday, April 5 | Gorge Waterway
Tale of the Tape: 9 a.m.
Reserve Races: 12:05 p.m. (M) & 12:25 p.m. (W) | Varsity Races: 1:05 p.m. (M) & 1:25 p.m. (W)

Where to watch?
Best viewing spots: Selkirk Trestle, Bay Street Bridge, Johnson Street Bridge.
Streaming & media coverage: catch the action here
Restaurants: Glo Restaurant and Lounge, Fol Epi Organic Bakery, Swans Pub, Lure Restaurant and Bar, and the Steamship Grill.