Sunny weather welcomes back the Dad Vail Regatta

It was smooth sailing under sunny skies on Day 1 of the 72d annual Aberdeen Dad Vail Regatta. That pleased race directors and spectators almost as much as the event staying on the Schuylkill instead of being moved to North Jersey.

Last November, due to economic reasons, the largest collegiate rowing event in the country was set to move from Philadelphia to the Navesink River in Rumson, N.J. A month later, with the backing of Mayor Nutter, U.S. Rep. Bob Brady and local businessman Herb Lotman, Dad Vail organizers announced a decision to stay in Philadelphia.

Three weeks ago, Aberdeen Asset Management, a Scottish investment firm with North American headquarters at 17th and Market Streets, signed a four-year agreement and contributed "six figures" to become the title sponsor of the rowing competition.

"It's wonderful. It's exciting," said Jim Hanna, the Dad Vail president. "It's a new day for Philadelphia and what is probably the most historic rowing event in the United States. We now have world-class facilities."

Hanna said the city "committed $300,000 to improve the finish-line grandstand and build a world-class finish-line tower." He estimated that the regatta, which this year features more than 3,000 rowers and 100 colleges and universities, brings $16 million in revenue to the city.

Of Lotman, who brokered a deal between the regatta and city to keep the event on the Schuylkill for the 57th year, Hanna said, "He's the Henry Kissinger of Philadelphia."

Weather-wise, Day 1 was a major success. Last year, high water, a swift current and debris from wind and heavy rain earlier in the week forced organizers to change the format of the races to timed events, instead of head-to-head heats, and shorten the distance from 2,000 meters to 1,500 meters.

Lindsay Welch, a four-year member of Purdue's varsity heavyweight eight crew, is a native of Newtown, Bucks County. The graduate of Stuart Country Day School in Princeton never rowed before college.

"One of the coaches came up to me on freshman orientation day and encouraged me to attend the call-out meeting and first practice," said Welch, a 6-foot-2 senior and No. 6 seat. "It's been great. I love the workouts, the competitive atmosphere, the team aspect of the sport."