VICTORIA, B.C. — The University of Victoria is proud to announce the Ralmax Group of Companies (Ralmax) as the title sponsor of the 2026 Brown Cup, set for Saturday, March 28, on Victoria's Gorge Waterway.

"Victoria Harbour is a strategic asset that has enormous economic, social, environmental and cultural values that are enjoyed by many. Ralmax has long appreciated the need to embrace and support the multiple interests of the harbour and supports the recreational paddlers as well as the serious competitors, such as those elite student-athletes who are competing in the University of Victoria's Brown Cup Regatta," said Chief Operating Officer of the Ralmax Group of Companies, Gary Bartlett.

"We invite the broad community to come down to the harbour to join us and cheer on the Vikes athletes as they vie for the honour of the Brown Cup against their esteemed UBC Thunderbird rivals."

The Ralmax Group of Companies, parent company of ten local industrial businesses, as well as Victoria Harbour Ferry, is proud to celebrate the University of Victoria men's and women's rowing teams in their regatta challenge for the Brown Cup. Carrying the Ralmax banner for these prestigious races are Point Hope Maritime and Victoria Harbour Ferry.

"Victoria's working harbour is an essential part of its vibrancy, and we are proud to welcome and recognize Ralmax for supporting us, and for raising the bar as local champions of responsible industrial practices. We share this harbour collaboratively and cooperatively with Ralmax throughout the year, and we thank them for their partnership," said men's rowing head coach, Aalbert Van Schothorst.

Ralmax believes there is a direct relationship between the health of an economy, the well-being of its citizens, and the environment. When people have met their basic needs, they reach out and care for others and invest in causes that are important to them. When economies are strong, vulnerable citizens and the environment benefit most. Encouraging and protecting sources of well-paying jobs and wealth is fundamental to a sustainable, healthy future for our community.

About the Brown Cup

The Brown Cup is an annual head race between the University of Victoria Vikes and the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds, contested on a neutral waterway, with support from local harbour stakeholders who facilitate access to the race.
Since its inception in 1991, when UVic's Howard Campbell and UBC's Joe Dowd envisioned a friendly inter-university duel, the Brown Cup has grown into one of Canada's premier rowing events. The women's race was added in 1992, cementing the regatta as a staple of the Canadian rowing calendar.

The UVic women's program has historically dominated the event, winning 26 titles to UBC's eight. On the men's side, the Vikes are seeking their first Brown Cup victory since 2018, holding a 20–12 edge in the all-time series.

What began as a simple rivalry has evolved into a proving ground for elite Canadian rowers, many of whom advance to compete on the national and Olympic stage. Today, the Brown Cup stands as Canada's answer to storied collegiate rowing rivalries such as Oxford vs. Cambridge and Harvard vs. Yale—defined by tradition, pride, and high-performance competition.

Unlike longer endurance-based races, the Brown Cup is a sprint-format head race that demands precision, power, and tactical execution over a tight, technical course. With little margin for error, crews must rely on both physical strength and strategic decision-making—particularly from the coxswain, who plays a critical role in steering, pacing, and navigating the challenges of open water.

UVic is grateful to the St. Michael's University School Rowing Club for their continued partnership and sponsorship of this event at their outstanding facility on the Gorge Waterway.

Event information

Brown Cup: UVic Vikes vs. UBC Thunderbirds
Saturday, March 28 | Gorge Waterway
Tale of the Tape: 9:00 a.m.
Reserve Races: 12:05 p.m. (Men), 12:25 p.m. (Women)
Varsity Races: 1:05 p.m. (Men), 1:25 p.m. (Women)

Where to watch:
Spectators can catch the action from several vantage points along the Gorge Waterway, including Selkirk Trestle, Bay Street Bridge, and Johnson Street Bridge. The event will also be broadcast in partnership with CHEK TV and Roll Focus.

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