Last year, the entries were in the 900 range.
“This is by far the largest,” Eric Catalano, SRA Executive Director and varsity girls coach, said. “It’s a race that has grown so much in the Northeast. It’s probably one of, if not the fastest regatta out there this time of year. We’re attracting the top crews from the Northeast.”
In 2012, the Saratoga Rowing Association had to add a third day, Friday, to the event because of its growth. The three-day weekend will also include the Liberty League Championships, which are taking place Sunday morning, before the Invitational resumes at 9:30 a.m. and goes to about 4:30 p.m.
Aside from Saratoga Springs, local teams from Shenendehowa, Niskayuna, Shaker, Albany, Burnt Hills, Stillwater, Ballston Spa, Emma Willard and Scotia-Glenville will be competing amidst a couple thousand athletes who will be in town from states including Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Massachusetts.
One group out of Boston will be bringing over 225 athletes, alone.
“Saratoga is already a destination for so many reasons and we’re really excited to be able to add rowing to that list,” Catalano said.
Aside from a few events featuring seventh and eighth graders, the majority of the competition will be between varsity level crew teams, ninth through 12th grade.
The regattas are entering one of the most exciting times of the season, said Catalano who is in anticipation of the end of April through the beginning of May when Saratoga Springs hosts three regattas in a row. After the Invitational, the Sectional Championships start Saturday, May 4, before New York State Championships round off the action the following week, starting Saturday, May 11.
“We really get the opportunity to show off our town, and Saratoga has become a real rowing destination in the Northeast,” Catalano said. “Each year we try to bring a little more to the regattas, so that Saratoga is recognized as one of the top rowing destinations in the country. We’re well on our way, with attendance going up.”
One of the things SRA is also working is putting together live streaming video for future regattas to be watched on.
“It’s another thing we’re trying to add to our repertoire to hopefully get us to another level,” Catalano said.
The first race is set for Friday, April 26 at 3 p.m.
This weekend may be a bit quieter, but the SRA is hosting an open house for the Adaptive Rowing Program, Saturday, April 20 from 3-5 p.m. The group provides people of all ages with physical, intellectual and sensory disabilities the opportunity to row.
