On Saturday, May 3, the Windermere Cup will make its highly anticipated return to the Montlake Cut for its 39^th 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.