2025 Lenny Peters Cup: GRP Rowers race Olympic Medalists in High Point
Grace (left) and Jacob (center) with their TEAM USA teammates.
On April 12, 2025, GRP rowers Grace Joyce and Jacob Plihal traveled to High Point, North Carolina, to represent Team USA as they faced off against top international athletes in the annual Lenny Peters Cup. This Henley Cup–style regatta also mixed with the North Carolina Rowing Championships, featuring a series of match races in single sculls, quadruple sculls, and mixed quads.
Race Format and Structure
The two teams (Team USA and the World), compete over three rounds, with a total of 24 points at stake:
• Round 1: Single Sculls – eight head-to-head races over 1,500 meters, each win earning one point.
• Round 2: Quadruple Sculls – men’s and women’s quads raced for 4 points each.
• Round 3: Mixed Quadruple Sculls – two 250-meter sprints, each worth 4 points; the second race served as the tiebreaker if needed.
Results
Round 1: Representing the GRP and USA, Grace and Jacob delivered exceptional performances in the single sculls. Team USA won 6 out of 8 points for Round 1.
Round 2: In the women's quadruple sculls, Grace teamed up with her fellow American rowers to win another 4 points. The Men’s quad lost to the World Team by a small margin.
Round 3: The final outcome hinged on the mixed quad sprints. Both teams fielded their best athletes for the quick 250-meter races. The World Team won both sprints and secured the Lenny Peters Cup.
The 2025 Lenny Peters Cup not only highlighted the prowess of American rowers but also celebrated the spirit of international competition and camaraderie. The event, supported by Bethany Medical and the Lenny Peters Foundation, continues to elevate the profile of rowing in the US.
The weekend at the Lenny Peters Cup was described as special and unforgettable; seeing the families, kids, and spectators out in full force, cheering on the athletes and loving the sport of rowing. One of the highlights for Grace and Jacob was the camaraderie - not just within teams, but across countries. Making friends with the international rowers added a special layer to the event, turning competition into connection.