Hampton Cup Regatta - August 5 to 7

This August 5-7, speed into action as the Hampton Cup Regatta, the oldest continuously running hydroplane boat race in the country (since 1926), returns to Mill Creek in Hampton, Virginia. Join over 30,000 spectators for a weekend of on-the-water thrills, chills, and racing excitement. Over 75 hydroplane boats and Jersey Speed Skiffs from the United States and Canada are expected to compete!

This year, the Hampton Cup Regatta plays host to some of the fastest watercraft in the world. At 19 ft. long, these nautical rockets often reach speeds of 150 mph, setting both national and world records. Best of all, the Hampton Cup Regatta is one of the last remaining boat races in the country free of charge!

In 2011, Hampton welcomes 10 classes of the fastest hydroplanes in North America. Considered the loudest piston-powered racing boats in the world, these hydroplanes are sure to have on-lookers marveling at their warp-like speed. In addition, the ever popular J-Stocks (youth class, ages 9-14, competing for national points) are set to return.

New to the Hampton Cup Regatta this year is the Vintage hydroplane division, the fastest growing class in all of boat racing. Featuring boats built before 1984, the category is represented by some of the biggest builders in the sport, including Guy Lombardi, Horace Dodge Jr., Gar Wood, and local builder Harry Lauterbach, whose boats have won more races than any other builder.

The fun officially kicks off at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, August 5 with the Bash at the Bridge. The event, free and open to the public, will feature live musical entertainment by Slapwater as well as food and beverages for purchase. The bridge will open to the public at 4:00 p.m., with Slapwater playing multiple sets 6:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

On Saturday, August 6 and Sunday, August 7, racing starts at 10:00 a.m. and ends 5:00 p.m. in Mill Creek, located at the entrance of Fort Monroe from the East Mercury Boulevard bridge in Hampton, Virginia.

Other weekend festivities include food and beverage vendors, souvenir programs, children’s area, and racing-enthusiast clothing and collectibles. Lawn chairs are highly encouraged as bleacher seating is extremely limited. Attendees are also encouraged to bring pop-up tents or umbrellas for shade; however coolers, pets, bikes, and skateboards are not permitted.

Viewing is available on the bridge and on Fort Monroe. Spectators wishing to view from the fort must have a photo I.D. and vehicle registration as there will be a mandatory identification check to access the base. Fort Monroe, home to the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command, is still an active military base.

For more information on Hampton Cup Regatta, check out www.hamptoncupregatta.org or call 757/329-4502.

Hampton Cup Regatta

August 5-7, 2011
Friday: 5:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. Bash at the Bridge with Slapwater (no racing Friday)
Saturday: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (1st day of racing)
Sunday: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (2nd day of racing)
FREE
Mill Creek at the entrance of Fort Monroe
Hampton, VA 23651

The oldest continuous inboard race in North America, Hampton Cup Regatta was first held in 1926. The regatta is the largest sporting event in Hampton, drawing spectators from as far away as New Jersey and having drawn racers from as far away as New Zealand.

Last year the race made history, electing Lisa Hearn Adkins the first ever female Hampton Cup Regatta Chairman. Though Adkins has only been on the committee for six years, she is a self-proclaimed “veteran” of the event and has never missed a race. She has attended 46 total Hampton Cup Regatta races.

Partially bordered by the Hampton Roads harbor and Chesapeake Bay, Hampton, with the 344,000 sq. ft. Hampton Roads Convention Center, is located in the center of the Hampton Roads metropolitan area. Hampton is the site of America's first continuous English-speaking settlement and is home to such visitor attractions as the Virginia Air & Space Center and Riverside IMAX ® Theater, Hampton History Museum, harbor tours and cruises, Hampton University Museum, Fort Monroe, award-winning Hampton Coliseum, The American Theatre, among others.