Rowing World Cup one step in USA team selection

The selection procedure for the United States rowing team is under way. They have just completed their first two National Selection Regattas. Both regattas took place in Princeton, New Jersey, at the headquarters for USRowing and the national training center on Mercer Lake.

The selection regattas were to choose the men’s and women’s Olympic small boat classes which would potentially go to the upcoming Rowing World Cups: men’s double, pair and single, women’s double, pair and single and lightweight men’s and women’s double. The national selection regattas also serve as a way for athletes to get invited to some of the national training camps taking place around the country.

The winner of each of the Olympic events has the option to attend any of the three Rowing World Cup series regattas. If the USA boat finishes top four in their event at the World Cup (or top 50 per cent if there are less then eight entries) they will automatically be selected as the Unites States crew for this year’s World Rowing Championships.

Following the two selection regattas all but two boats decided to attend the first Rowing World Cup in Banyoles, Spain. In the men’s double is Glenn Ochal who has been a member of the under-23 quad in 2005 and 2007 along with Sam Stitt. Stitt rowed in the quad at the Beijing Olympics and was also part of the quad that handed the Polish quad their only defeat in the last four years.

In the men’s pair is a young, but decorated, duo of Charlie Cole and David Banks. Banks was a member of the bronze medal men’s four at the Lucerne Rowing World Cup last year and was part of the Olympic four. Cole, a three-time member of the under-23 squad, won a gold with the USA eight at the 2008 World Rowing under 23 Championships.

The lightweight men’s double consists of Shane Madden and Andy Quinn. Madden and Quinn were teammates in the lightweight men’s quad at last year’s World Rowing Championships. For the lightweight women’s double, Michelle Trannel and Abelyn Broughton are teamed up. They were both teammates at the 2006 World Rowing Championships in the lightweight women’s quad.

The United States is also sending a lightweight men’s single, Jonathan Winter. The lightweight single does not have the same standards as the Olympic events. If Winter gets in the top four, he is not automatically selected as the boat for the World Rowing Championships. Winter was a member of the under-23 lightweight men’s quad that received a silver medal in 2006.

The last two boats attending are the men’s single of Warren Anderson, and the women’s single of Brett Sickler. Both were alternates for the Beijing Olympics last summer and came back to win the first National Selection Regatta in a convincing manor.

“I’m trying to gain as much experience as I can over the next year or two,” said Anderson after racing at the selection regatta. “I have no problem putting my rowing career in [coach Tim McLaren’s] hands. We have a great group of guys that Tim is developing; I think it should shape up to be a good year for team USA.”

In total the United States will be fielding seven boats at the first Rowing World Cup. Six of those boats could potentially be named to the national team for the 2009 World Rowing Championships. Otherwise the positions will be opened up to national trials in early August.

You can check out entries and live results for the Rowing World Cup from 29 – 31 May on WorldRowing.com.

Copy thanks to Richard Klein.

By FISA