NSR 2 Win

Post # 133

With a time of 7:12.31, we won the final of NSR2 yesterday! We were able to lead wire-to-wire and are pleased with how we executed our race plan. Also in action were the men's and women's heavyweight pairs, heavyweight doubles, and men's lightweight pairs and doubles. The complete recap of the event is in USRowing's post-race press release/interviews and a complete photo gallery of the finals on row2k.

This win means we'll be representing the US at a World Cup regatta later this summer. The first one is on the Olympic course in London in late June and the second one is in Switzerland in July. More to come as we figure it all out from here. Thanks for following along and cheering us on!

Excitement after crossing the finish line 

Credit: Row2k.com

NSR 2: Day 1

Post # 132

Princeton, New Jersey - Just a quick update as day 1 of National Selection Regatta 2 is now in the books.  We're off to a good start with a win in the time trial (we're listed under USRowing Training Center - OKC A even though we're a "composite" boat).  Here's some video from the time trial - you can find us at the 8:32 mark.

Next up: the final on Saturday. Winner qualifies to represent the USA at World Cups. We'll be in lane 4 at 8:10 am eastern. Watch live here! Coverage for all the events starts at 7:30 am. 

Coast Hopping

Post # 131

Last weekend wrapped up the spring season for Artemis Rowing, and the kids did great. The theme of the weekend? Artemis athletes going out, racing the big dogs, putting an awesome effort into each stroke, and hanging with kids who were, often times, much bigger and older than them. As coaches, we couldn't help but be excited with every race that came down, not only for this year, but for years to come. These guys are just getting started, and they're going to improve so much with every practice and every race. Our boys' freshman 8 placed out of 7th out of 20 time-wise in the heats, and most of those kids are in 8th grade! Can't wait to see what they can do this fall and especially next spring with a whole extra year of rowing under their belts.

The team has also grown a ton since the start of the fall season. We are always trying to get the kids of Oakland out on the water with us, regardless of age, athletic experience, financial situation, or anything other factor. We just want them to learn how great this sport can be and how much you can learn from being on a fun, supportive team. This was our team photo on Sunday afternoon. Look how many there are now!

In the spirit of my annual spring coast hopping (I've now alternated coasts each weekend for the past four weeks), I am back in New Jersey prepping for National Selection Regatta 2. Unlike the race two weeks ago, this one is going to be in doubles and it means a lot more for selection. The double that wins this race gets to represent the USA at a World Cup regatta in London or Switzerland. There are 3 World Cups every summer that happen before the big show: the World Championships. World Cups are a chance to line up against a bunch of other countries in your event and see where you stand.

But back to NSR 2, which is going down this week. I'm racing with Kate Bertko, who won NSR 1. Here's the schedule:

Thursday - 8:30 am Time Trial
Friday - off
Saturday morning - Final

Results and Info posted here.

This morning's practice

(c) Erik Dresser / Row2k

NSR 1 Wrap-Up & Southwest Regionals

Post # 130

I'm back in California after a busy week of racing at the NSR. I came away with a second place finish in the final, which I'm happy with. Kate Bertko, the winner, blew us all away with her speed this week. She's new to lightweight rowing, though not at all new to the elite rowing scene; she's been racing as a heavyweight sculler for Team USA for the past five years and just made the switch to lightweight this year. All credit to her for that race. She did awesome.

This week is another busy one, this time on the Artemis Rowing front. We're leaving for the Southwest Regional Championships on Friday. We'll be facing 32 other clubs from the southwest quarter of the country for a regional ranking and the opportunity to qualify for the national championship. The team can hardly contain their excitement; everyone was running around with so much energy as we loaded up the trailer with boats and equipment last night. I'm super excited for all of them too. They've worked so hard this year and they get to see all of their hard work pay off in the next few days.

Boys' lightweight four practicing on the estuary