MARTIN CROSS TO ANCHOR LIVESTREAM FOR 2026 LENNY PETERS CUP

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

THE VOICE OF ROWING MEETS AMERICAN PIONEER: MARTIN CROSS AND AQUIL ABDULLAH TO ANCHOR 2026 LENNY PETERS CUP

HIGH POINT, NC – Dust off the binoculars and clear your throat, because the airwaves at Oak Hollow Lake are about to get a serious upgrade.

The Lenny Peters Cup and the Bethany Medical North Carolina Rowing Championships are thrilled to announce that the legendary British rowing commentator Martin Cross will be flying in from across the pond to anchor the race commentary for this year’s Lenny Peters Cup on April 18.

But a legend needs a powerhouse partner, and Cross won't be flying solo. Joining him in the broadcast booth is none other than Olympian and American rowing trailblazer Aquil Abdullah.

A Commentary Dream Team

If rowing had a "Mount Rushmore" of voices, Martin Cross would be front and center. An Olympic Gold Medalist himself (Los Angeles ’84), Cross has become the definitive voice of the sport, known globally for his breathless, heart-pounding coverage of the World Rowing Championships and the Olympic Games.

“To have Martin’s iconic commentary echoing across the waters of High Point is a game-changer,” said the Regatta Director Gene Kininmonth. “He doesn’t just call a race; he turns a 2,000-meter sprint into a Shakespearean drama.”

Partnering with him is Aquil Abdullah, a man who knows a thing or two about making history. See previous Aquil announcement here. As the first African American male to qualify for the Olympics in rowing, Abdullah brings a level of technical insight and "in-the-boat" intensity that few can match.

What to Expect: More Than Just "Oars in the Water"

Fans can expect a broadcast filled with:

• Expert Tactical Breakdowns: Why that stroke seat just "caught a crab" or how the Serbians are maintaining that soul-crushing rhythm.

• Witty Banter: Cross’s signature dry wit meets Abdullah’s sharp, analytical edge.

• The "Lenny Peters" Energy: High-stakes racing for one of the most prestigious trophies in the South, narrated by the best in the business.

The Probability of Excitement? 100%

Whether you’re a seasoned sculler or someone who thinks a "regatta" is a type of pasta, this commentary duo will make you feel every blade entry and every photo finish. With the SPY index of rowing excitement currently hitting record highs, this is one broadcast you cannot afford to miss.

Martin Cross has served as lead rowing commentator in the past for The Boat Race between Oxford & Cambridge, the Olympic Games and Henley Royal Regatta. 

The Action Starts: April 18, 2026

Location: Oak Hollow Lake, High Point, NC

Live Stream Details: follow on Youtube @lennypeterscup 

Media Contact: Gene Kininmonth

Regatta Director

[genekininmonth@gmail.com/336-257-9009]

About the Lenny Peters Cup

The Lenny Peters Cup is the premier rowing event of the North Carolina spring season, bringing together elite collegiate, masters, and junior rowers to compete for glory on the scenic waters of High Point.

Aquil Abdullah returns to High Point for the Lenny Peters Cup on April 18.