Yale-Harvard Regatta

Yale-Harvard Regatta

Usually during first weekend in June

This famous college crew race has been held since 1865 between arch-rivals Yale and Harvard on the Thames River (pronounced THAYMZ) in New London, Connecticut. The event, which claims to be the oldest crew competition in the country, is timed to coincide with the turning of the tide, either upriver or downriver. It begins with a two-mile freshman race, followed by a two-mile combination race featuring the best rowers from all classes. Then there is a three-mile junior varsity race. But the highlight is the four-mile varsity race.
Prior to World War II, crowds of up to 60,000 used to line the banks of the Thames to watch the race, but nowadays only a third as many come to watch—many of them by boat.

CONTACTS:
Harvard Crew, Harvard University
59 Shepard St.
P.O. Box 157
Cambridge, MA 02138
617-495-1000
www.hcs.harvard.edu/nharvcrew/Website/History/HY

SOURCES:
GdUSFest-1984, p. 30

Holidays, Festivals, and Celebrations of the World Dictionary, Fourth Edition. © 2010 by Omnigraphics, Inc.