Varsity (rowing regatta)
| Varsity | |
|---|---|
The Skadi four and supporters in the water after winning the 124th Varsity in 2007.
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| Frequency | Annual |
| Location(s) | Houten, Netherlands |
| Years active | 1878-Present |
| Previous event | 6 April 2014 |
| Next event | 5 April 2015 |
| Participants | approx. 200 crews |
| Organised by | KNSRB and U.S.R. Triton |
| Website | |
| www |
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The Varsity is a rowing regatta on the Amsterdam–Rhine Canal in Houten, Netherlands each Spring. The Varsity is the oldest and most prestigious student rowing regatta in the Netherlands.
The Varsity is one of the few student-only rowing races and has a fever-pitch rivalry. Traditional elements are combined with new technology and rowing philosophy. While rowing crews defend the honour of the club on the water, spectators on the dike are traditionally brawling with equal fanaticism. The main event is the Oude Vier (Varsity Four, literally 'Old Four') which is rowed in a 4+. The best rowers of all student rowing clubs participate in this event. Other fields include common race rowing classes like the 4+, 4-, 2- and skiff, but also more traditional clinker-built boats. A great deal of the traditions in student rowing in the Netherlands evolved from the Varsity.
The biggest student rowing club in the Netherlands, Nereus, has also carried home the most victories. The three founding clubs, Njord, Laga and Triton follow in order of wins. The overall ranking is a bit misleading for contemporary achievements: Triton hasn't won a varsity since 1967 and Njord hasn't won since 1988. No other club than Nereus or Skadi has been victorious since 2005. The non-KNSRB clubs, Orca, Okeanos and Euros have only been participating since 1973. Other non-KNSRB clubs are yet to achieve victory.
Two races in 1915 and 1916 are not counted towards the total score because of World War I in the Netherlands .
The history of the varsity starts with the foundation of the first student rowing club in the Netherlands. On 5 June 1874 the K.S.R.V. "Njord" was originated on behalf of J.W.T. Cohen Stuart. Almost immediately after the founding Prince Henry of the Netherlands became the patron of Njord. Soon other rowing clubs started to emerge. In Delft D.S.R.V. Laga was founded in 1876. The Groningen student club G.S.R. Aegir originated in 1878. All student rowing clubs of this period started as 'subdivisions' of bigger and older student corporations like Vindicat atque Polit. This meant all club were 'born' with a natural rivalry.
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Wikipedia