Stotesbury Cup Regatta preview

On the Schuylkill

What: The 90th Stotesbury Cup Regatta is billed as the oldest and largest high school rowing competition in the United States. It is to feature teams from 191 schools in the United States and Canada, 984 boats, 5,679 athletes and 31 championship events.

When: Friday and Saturday. Time trials are to start at 8 a.m. Friday and run to approximately 3 p.m. Semifinals are set to begin at 4 p.m. and go to around 6 p.m. Semifinals are to resume Saturday at 8 a.m., and finals are expected to begin at approximately 4 p.m. The last race of the day, the girls' senior eight final, is set for approximately 5:30 p.m.

The name: Edward T. Stotesbury was a local philanthropist who underwrote the cost of an award that bears his name and is given each year to the boys' senior eight winner.

The course: The six-lane 2,000-meter course runs from just north of the intersection of Hunting Park Drive and Kelly Drive south to the grandstand just above the Columbia Avenue Bridge.

Last year: Mount St. Joseph won the girls' senior eight, and Gonzaga won the boys' senior eight.

New for 2016: The addition of petite finals for boys' and girls' senior singles and single eights.

Parking: Pay lots are nearby in the East Plateau of Fairmount Park along Kelly Drive. Shuttles and tram cars are to be available to move people and provisions to the tents and the racecourse.

Kelly Drive: The stretch from Strawberry Mansion Drive to Fountain Green Drive will be closed and is set to reopen at 8 p.m. Saturday. Detour signs will be posted throughout, and delays can be expected. Entrance into the regatta zone is by permit only.

For more information, go to www.stotesburycupregatta.com

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