T-Birds men's rowing captures 2019 Brown Cup title, women's squad edged by UVic

VICTORIA – The visiting UBC Thunderbirds men's rowing team was victorious in Victoria, securing the 2019 Brown Cup title away from the UVic Vikes in the 28^th Annual edition of the race between the rivals. The T-Birds won both the reserve and varsity races in front of boisterous crowds who enjoyed the sun and the action along the Gorge Waterway in the Provincial Capital on Saturday afternoon.

2019 Brown Cup men's celebration

UBC's varsity men's 8+ was able to break UVic's three consecutive year run on the Brown Cup with a solid win. In coxswain Kevin Chung's final university race, Chung kept his crew running at good length and rhythm while attacking an aggressive pace and steering decisive clear lines from start to finish. The 7.13 second victory capped a great year for the Thunderbirds who have gone undefeated in Canadian competition in the 8+ for the past year. Uvic won the first thirteen years of the series but since UBC's first win in 2005 UBC has now edged the Vikes 8 to 7. UBC's time was 10:37.0 to the Vikes 10:44.1.

"This race was especially important because since the team's first win in 2005, Brown Cup wins have been evenly split 7 to 7," said UBC men's rowing head coach Mike Pearce. "This race was to tilt the balance. It would also mark the team's first ever undefeated year in the Eight in Canadian competition. The team managed the pressure very well, rowed to our strengths and executed an excellent race on demand. It was a great way to complete the year".

Brown Cup 2019

UBC's women looked to defend last year's win but found themselves locked into a stroke for stroke battle with UVic throughout the race. UBC were edging the Vikes through the trestle turn by 2-3 seats but the Vikes hung tough and a held UBC's attempts to build a lead. A minor clashing of blades occurred as the crew came from the Bay St. bridge which shifted the race momentum to the home team Vikes. UVic would break clear of UBC in the final sprint for a 9.1 second win, 11:41.35 to 11:50.44

Brown Cup group photo 2019

In Reserves racing, UBC second varsity took victories in both the men's and women's races. The Reserves races are key proving tests for the depth of the program while incubating team talent for future National Championship and Brown Cup bids. UBC's men won in 10:50.89 to UVic's 11:11.55 and the Thunderbird women won 12:11.34 to the Vikes 12:21.66

The race saw great community support at all bridges and spectators where aided with a multiple camera Live Stream production carried by Chek 6 News. The event was a social media success, attracting thousands of live views across the country and around the globe.

Brown Cup trophy 2019