HIGH POINT, NC (April 20, 2026) – Team USA defeated the World Team on Saturday at Oak Hollow Lake, finishing with a 9–5 victory to claim the Lenny Peters Cup. The win marks a significant turn for the American squad, following Team World’s victory in 2025 during the regatta’s inaugural year.
The match-racing event, which uses a Ryder Cup-style points-based system across various boat classes, saw the U.S. build a foundational lead in the early sessions to prevent a repeat of last year’s result.
In addition to the Lenny Peters Cup, over 1,000 rowers raced for the state championships in youth, collegiate, and adult events as part of the North Carolina Rowing Championships. With 526 boats racing from 36 clubs and 7 nations the regatta marked the biggest rowing event ever to take place in North Carolina, generating an estimated $2 million economic impact.
Regatta Highlights
Team USA opened the day by winning all four single sculls matches. Grace Joyce, Sam Melvin, and Isa Darvin secured points for the U.S., while Cedar Cunningham contributed a fourth point by defeating the World Team’s Sholto Carnegie.
The World Team earned its first points in the Men’s Double, where Martin Mačković and Nikolaj Pimenov defeated the American pairing of Jacob Plihal and Caleb Nollenberger. Team USA responded in the Women’s Double, with Sophia Vitas and Evan Park securing a two-point victory over Canada’s Avalon Wasteneys and Clark.
The Clinching Moment
The competition concluded with two Mixed Quadruple Sculls races, each worth three points.
Team USA won the first Mixed Quad, reaching 9 points and mathematically securing the trophy.
The World Team won the second Mixed Quad, bringing the final score to 9–5.
“The inaugural Cup in 2025 set a high bar for international competition here in High Point,” said Regatta Director Gene Kininmonth. “While Team USA were again strong in the singles, the weight of the quad races means the cup is never truly decided until those big boats are on the water.”
After the World Team took the title last year, Kininmonth said Team USA returned this year a physically stronger squad.
“The short-distance sprint is a pure test of a crew’s raw power and technical coordination under extreme intensity. Team USA showed up in strength today and the crowd loved it.”
In addition to the rowers, the event drew 3,000 spectators to the festival grounds at Oak Hollow Lake.