The 2023 College Cup race at Lake Merced in San Francisco, CA, marked the inaugural event of the racing season, sparking the dragon boat journey of new paddlers and setting off an electrifying tone for the academic year. Taking place over the Veterans Day weekend, this unique one-day race exclusively featured collegiate teams that competed in the Mixed, Open, and Womens 500m divisions. The fuel of last year’s close loss of the gold medal by a mere 0.08 seconds charged our eagerness to showcase our hard work and team cohesion honed since then.

UCSD competed with two crews in the Mixed division, along with one each for the Open and Womens races. Pride swelled as we reflected on our improvements, achievements, and overall performance of our team. Our Womens boat secured an impressive 3rd place in their division, a remarkable accomplishment given the challenges we faced to even fill a full Womens boat just a few years ago. Demonstrating commendable effort and perseverance, our Open boat placed 4th in the fierce championships. Our Mixed B boat faced tough competition in the Mixed B Division, having climbed tiers from Mixed C Division since last year. Surpassing expectations, we secured 3rd place and emerged as the fastest Mixed B boat among all participating teams. Our Mixed A boat reclaimed the once-lost trophy when we clinched 1st place in the Mixed A Division, a significant feat not seen since our last victory a decade ago in 2013. 

The experience of working tenaciously as a united team and emerging victorious with our goals was immensely rewarding. This triumph not only set the tone for the rest of the racing season but also solidified our special team dynamic. The 2023 College Cup showcased our prowess on the water and laid the foundation for a season filled with determination, unity, and the pursuit of excellence, leaving an unforgettable mark on the UCSD Dragon Boat legacy. We extend our sincere appreciation and gratitude to our dedicated alumni for their unwavering support throughout our shared triumph. With our eyes set on the next race in March, we eagerly anticipate the opportunity to grow even closer as a team and aim to bring home the gold once again.