Head of the Ohio
Encyclopedia
The Head of the Ohio, also known as HOTO, is a rowing
race held on the penultimate complete weekend of October each year on the Ohio River
and Allegheny River
, at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
. The race is named the "Head" of the Ohio because it is a head race
. It is the largest 2-day regatta
on the Inland Rivers System
, with more than 2,000 athletes rowing from over 75 universities, colleges and high schools. The regatta was the seventh largest in both 2006 and 2007.
The last races of the Regatta are generally the most prestigious: Championship 4s, and Championship 8s (both men and women). Championship sculling events (1x/single and 2x/double) race on Saturday afternoon. The Championship events usually include current U.S. National Team athletes.
at the TRRA boathouse. The finish line is just below the Fort Duquesne Bridge
at the confluence of the Allegheny, Monongahela, and Ohio rivers and between PNC Park
and Heinz Field
across from downtown Pittsburgh.
as its major sponsor but since 2006 has been coordinated solely through the Three Rivers Rowing Association. The first race was held during five hours on Saturday September 26, 1987. The most recent race was held October 1, 2011 and for the first time was conducted on an "upriver" course ending at Washington's Landing, its traditional start point. http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11275/1179191-53-0.stm?cmpid=MOSTEMAILEDBOX
Rowing (sport)
Rowing is a sport in which athletes race against each other on rivers, on lakes or on the ocean, depending upon the type of race and the discipline. The boats are propelled by the reaction forces on the oar blades as they are pushed against the water...
race held on the penultimate complete weekend of October each year on the Ohio River
Ohio River
The Ohio River is the largest tributary, by volume, of the Mississippi River. At the confluence, the Ohio is even bigger than the Mississippi and, thus, is hydrologically the main stream of the whole river system, including the Allegheny River further upstream...
and Allegheny River
Allegheny River
The Allegheny River is a principal tributary of the Ohio River; it is located in the Eastern United States. The Allegheny River joins with the Monongahela River to form the Ohio River at the "Point" of Point State Park in Downtown Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania...
, at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh is the second-largest city in the US Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Allegheny County. Regionally, it anchors the largest urban area of Appalachia and the Ohio River Valley, and nationally, it is the 22nd-largest urban area in the United States...
. The race is named the "Head" of the Ohio because it is a head race
Head race
A head race is a time-trial competition in the sport of rowing, also known as crew to a few USA organizations. Head races are typically held in the fall and spring seasons. These events draw many athletes as well as observers...
. It is the largest 2-day regatta
Regatta
A regatta is a series of boat races. The term typically describes racing events of rowed or sailed water craft, although some powerboat race series are also called regattas...
on the Inland Rivers System
Mississippi River System
The Mississippi River System, also referred to as the Western Rivers, is a mostly riverine network which includes the Mississippi River and connecting waterways....
, with more than 2,000 athletes rowing from over 75 universities, colleges and high schools. The regatta was the seventh largest in both 2006 and 2007.
The last races of the Regatta are generally the most prestigious: Championship 4s, and Championship 8s (both men and women). Championship sculling events (1x/single and 2x/double) race on Saturday afternoon. The Championship events usually include current U.S. National Team athletes.
Course
The 2.6 mile course starts on the Allegheny River just downriver from the 40th Street Bridge. The actual start is on Washington's LandingWashington's Landing
Washington's Landing is an island in the Allegheny River in Pittsburgh in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. It is officially considered part of the Troy Hill neighborhood.-Herrs Island:...
at the TRRA boathouse. The finish line is just below the Fort Duquesne Bridge
Fort Duquesne Bridge
The Fort Duquesne Bridge is a steel tied arch bridge that spans the Allegheny River in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It was colloquially referred to as "The Bridge to Nowhere"...
at the confluence of the Allegheny, Monongahela, and Ohio rivers and between PNC Park
PNC Park
PNC Park is a baseball park located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It is the fifth home of the Pittsburgh Pirates, the city's Major League Baseball franchise. It opened during the 2001 Major League Baseball season, after the controlled implosion of the Pirates' previous home, Three Rivers Stadium...
and Heinz Field
Heinz Field
Heinz Field is a stadium located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It primarily serves as the home to the Pittsburgh Steelers and University of Pittsburgh Panthers American football teams, members of the National Football League and National Collegiate Athletic Association respectively...
across from downtown Pittsburgh.
History
The Head of the Ohio began in 1987 with Mercy HospitalUPMC Mercy
UPMC Mercy is a main hospital facility of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and is located in the Uptown section of the city of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, adjacent to downtown Pittsburgh and a few blocks from the Mellon Arena...
as its major sponsor but since 2006 has been coordinated solely through the Three Rivers Rowing Association. The first race was held during five hours on Saturday September 26, 1987. The most recent race was held October 1, 2011 and for the first time was conducted on an "upriver" course ending at Washington's Landing, its traditional start point. http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11275/1179191-53-0.stm?cmpid=MOSTEMAILEDBOX