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On Saturday, May 3, the Windermere Cup will make its highly anticipated return to the Montlake Cut for its 39th year, bringing with it all the speed, pageantry, and community spirit Seattle has come to love.
The Windermere Cup began in 1987 when Windermere Real Estate founder John Jacobi partnered with the University of Washington and the Seattle Yacht Club to expand the crew races held annually on the Opening Day of Boating Season. The vision was simple but bold: bring the best rowing talent in the world to compete against UW’s elite program—and spotlight the Montlake Cut as a premier international racing venue.
39 years later, the Windermere Cup remains a cornerstone of Seattle’s Opening Day festivities—welcoming top international crews, celebrating the strength of community, and honoring a long-standing partnership between Windermere, UW, and the Seattle Yacht Club.
Windermere Cup 2025
Returning champions and first-time challengers come together at this year’s Windermere Cup, as the University of Washington welcomes the New Zealand National Team and Indiana University to the Montlake Cut.
Making their long-awaited return to the Cut, the New Zealand National Team brings their men’s and women’s crews back to Seattle for the first time in a decade. With past appearances in 1989, 1999, and 2015, New Zealand has a strong history at the Windermere Cup, including a first-place finish by the men’s crew in their last outing. Ten years later, they’re back—faster, stronger, and ready to take on the Huskies once again.
Making their Montlake debut is Indiana University, whose women’s crew will compete in the Windermere Cup for the first time this year. A rising force in collegiate rowing, the Hoosiers continue the tradition of bringing top NCAA programs to the Cut to face off against the University of Washington—one of the most dominant teams in the sport.
As always, the Windermere Cup is free and open to the public, with thousands of spectators lining both sides of the Montlake Cut to cheer on the athletes. Races begin at 10:15 AM, with the featured Windermere Cup races at 11:30 AM and 11:45 AM. The Opening Day Boat Parade, put on by the Seattle Yacht Club, begins promptly at noon, signaled by the ceremonial raising of the Montlake Bridge and a traditional cannon blast. An awards ceremony will follow at 12:30 PM on the north side of the Cut.
Race-day festivities on the shore include food vendors, a build-a-boat station, a bouncy house, a photo booth, and a chance to meet the inspiring team behind Pink Ribbon Row organization.
Kick Off the Weekend with Windermere’s Party on the Cut!
The celebration kicks off the night before with the seventh annual Party on the Cut, taking place Friday, May 2, from 6:00 to 10:00 PM at the NE corner of Montlake Cut near the UW Waterfront Activity Center. This 21+ event features food trucks, yard games, a beer tent, and live music from Queen Mother and Nite Wave. Attendees will also get a sneak peek of Saturday’s action with the Twilight Sprints, a short-course race through the Cut featuring the Windermere Cup competitors.
Tickets can be purchased here for $35 or at the door for $45, and all proceeds will benefit the Windermere Foundation and Seattle JazzED, a local nonprofit making music education more accessible for Seattle-area youth.
For more information and a full schedule of events, visit windermerecup.com and follow Windermere Cup on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
