F(oar) things to know: Wisconsin to open fall competition at Milwaukee River Challenge
October 01, 2026 | Women's Rowing
The Badgers travels to Milwaukee for season opener
MADISON, Wis. — The Wisconsin women's openweight rowing team will open their fall 2026 season at the Milwaukee River Challenge on Saturday, Oct. 3.
Before the Badgers take their marks, here are f(oar) things to know:
1. THE COURSE: The Milwaukee River Challenge features a unique, 3-mile course winding through the heart of downtown Milwaukee. The boats will begin heading east on the Menominee River and follow the river until heading north on the Milwaukee River. The race will conclude near Schlitz Park.
Wisconsin will race against other Midwest teams. Boats for the women's open four will launch at approximately 8 a.m. on Saturday and the first race will begin at 8:30 a.m. Following the women's four, the races compete in the following order: men's eight, women's eight and the men's four.
2. HISTORY AT THE REGATTA: Wisconsin placed third in the women's open four race at the 2025 Milwaukee River Challenge coxed by Emma Hefner. Last year marked the team's first time competing at the regatta since 2019, where the Badgers took second in the women's open four and first-place in the women's open eight.
3. FOLLOW ALONG: A recap of the weekend will be posted to uwbadgers.com with post-race results available on the Milwaukee River Challenge website.
4. UP NEXT: Following the Milwaukee River Challenge, the team will travel east to Ypsilanti, Michigan to race against the Eastern Michigan University Eagles on Oct. 10. The Badgers will then compete at the Head of the Charles in Boston on Oct. 18 and round out fall competition by hosting Minnesota at home on Oct. 31.
Before the Badgers take their marks, here are f(oar) things to know:
1. THE COURSE: The Milwaukee River Challenge features a unique, 3-mile course winding through the heart of downtown Milwaukee. The boats will begin heading east on the Menominee River and follow the river until heading north on the Milwaukee River. The race will conclude near Schlitz Park.
Wisconsin will race against other Midwest teams. Boats for the women's open four will launch at approximately 8 a.m. on Saturday and the first race will begin at 8:30 a.m. Following the women's four, the races compete in the following order: men's eight, women's eight and the men's four.
2. HISTORY AT THE REGATTA: Wisconsin placed third in the women's open four race at the 2025 Milwaukee River Challenge coxed by Emma Hefner. Last year marked the team's first time competing at the regatta since 2019, where the Badgers took second in the women's open four and first-place in the women's open eight.
3. FOLLOW ALONG: A recap of the weekend will be posted to uwbadgers.com with post-race results available on the Milwaukee River Challenge website.
4. UP NEXT: Following the Milwaukee River Challenge, the team will travel east to Ypsilanti, Michigan to race against the Eastern Michigan University Eagles on Oct. 10. The Badgers will then compete at the Head of the Charles in Boston on Oct. 18 and round out fall competition by hosting Minnesota at home on Oct. 31.
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Rowing
Saturday, October 25
Tuesday, May 14
Monday, May 06
Thursday, March 14
