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World Cup I Recap

May 8, 2012 by National Rowing Foundation

Well, the first part of our journey is over. Once racing started, time just flew by. By the time we raced, cooled down, recovered properly and refueled, it felt like it was already time to get ready to race again. Our hotel was only about a ten-minute bus ride away, so our post race routines ran smoothly for the most part.

As far as the racing went, while I cannot speak for the other boats competing, I’d say it was a fairly successful weekend. I know I definitely learned a lot and am grateful to have had the opportunity to line up against some of the best in the world. Any chance to test yourself in fairly high pressure situations is always a plus.

The conditions were quite speedy, the water was shallow and warm, and the wind definitely helped push things along. In the heats and semifinals, at least in our race, there was a bit of a wake issue. I do have to say my pair partner, Caroline, handled it really well in her calls, saying (as calmly as one can during an all out effort) “here’s a wake” and “another wake, on this one.” I felt better knowing I wasn’t going crazy, the water was actually moving us side to side. But, overall it was fine and the organizers of the event did do a really great job. Everyone was super friendly and everything seemed to run smoothly. And it was a really great venue to race at.

We got to sleep in, even though I never can, before boarding a bus to the airport. While I wasn’t anxious to endure another day of traveling, I am excited to see what this next step in the process holds. Believe it or not, there is still a lot of time before US boats are officially selected and then ultimately sent to London. Nothing is set in stone, so back to the grindstone!

World Cup I: Belgrade, Serbia

May 4, 2012 by National Rowing Foundation

Racing season is finally here! Although the women’s squad got the opportunity to race at the first NSR and the Qualification Regatta, this World Cup officially marks our first opportunity to test our speed internationally and get a feel for where we stand. The US has a squad of 14 racing here (including 3 adaptive athletes looking to qualify for the Paralympic Games), so quite a smaller number of athletes than I’m used to.

After arriving in Zurich early Sunday morning, we caught a second flight to Belgrade. We dropped our bags off at the hotel (let me tell you we have a lot of stuff; food, recovery gels and drinks, training and racing gear, books, cameras, the list goes on and on) and then immediately left for the course. Not only is it pretty dry and warm here (temperatures have been in the 80s), but there is a lot going on everywhere you turn. Unlike other race courses set in serene and isolated locations, this place is bustling with people…all the time. There is even a bungee jump at the 1100 meter mark, amongst various cafes, bars and sunbathers. Needless to say I have had to be extra focused while rowing, or at least I really try to be. The other fun thing about the course is all the stray dogs roaming around. While they do look a little scraggly, they are super friendly and even follow us on our warm up runs. Our favorite one so far is the little chubby one with black fur around his eye who we named Chester.

Racing started today thankfully. It’s always nice to have at least a few days to adjust to a new time zone, but there’s a lot of waiting involved. And after racing the heat today, we get to wait some more. The hotel has pretty good Internet though and Caroline and I are currently ensconced in the second season of Downton Abbey, so all this extra time hasn’t been too bad… The food is good, lots of vegetables and interesting meats. No one has gotten food poisoning so far thank goodness! There’s not much to report on regarding racing as of yet. The heats are always inconclusive because every country seems to approach them differently, with some crews going all out for the entire piece and others holding back quite a bit. Things are bound to get more interesting tomorrow in the semis.

So for now, we are relaxing and waiting, watching an embarrassing amount of Downton Abbey and eager to race some more! After this weekend, our group of 8 will join the rest of the women’s squad in Breisach, Germany for a two week training camp. So, lots of fun things to look forward to this month.

Until next time!

Our hotel room at the Hotel Belgrade Continental

The view from our hotel room

Two stray dogs, the closest one is Chester, obviously.

View of the course from near the finish. Note the bungee jump on the right hand side.

Men’s 2- 2000 Sydney Olympic Games

February 29, 2012 by National Rowing Foundation

Watch 2012 Hall of Fame inductees Sebastian Bea & Ted Murphy win the Silver medal!

The NRF Announces Jamie Koven and Marcia Hooper As New Board Co-Chairs

February 7, 2012 by National Rowing Foundation

MYSTIC, Conn., February 3, 2012 — The National Rowing Foundation (NRF) is pleased to announce that at its 2012 Annual Meeting Marcia Hooper and Jamie Koven were elected Co-Chairs of the Board of the NRF. Anne Martin and Dick Cashin who stepped down as Co-Chairs have both joined the Executive Committee of the Board. The Directors and Trustees were highly grateful for all the contributions made by Dick and Anne during their ten year tenure and welcomed Marcia and Jamie. Jamie Koven has deep understanding of competitive rowing spanning over three decades. He is currently training for the 2012 Olympics and competed in both the 1996 and 2000 Olympics. Jamie rowed at St. Paul’s School and at Brown University, where he rowed to three national championships. He began his international racing career in 1990 as member of the Junior National Team and was a member of the US National Team from 1993 through 2000. Jamie won the world championships twice, in the Eight in 1994 and in the Single in 1997. Jamie is a Partner at One Equity Partners and in 2009 was appointed a Steward of the Henley Royal Regatta. Marcia Hooper is dedicated supporter of rowing and has been involved with the sport since the mid-1970’s when she helped launch Brown Women’s Crew program. She has remained involved with Brown University serving as Co-President of the Friends of Brown Women’s Crew; she is member of the President’s Advisory Council on Athletics and an officer of the Brown University Sports Foundation. She is a Director of the Head of the Charles Regatta, and formerly served as Treasurer of the NRF. “Dick and I could not be more excited to have two such talented people step up to chair the NRF. Jamie’s commitment to the sport of rowing and his deep personal knowledge of the needs of US Rowing is a great asset. Marcia’s strengths in business, organization and fundraising will be highly valued as the NRF seeks to meet the needs of our Senior and Junior National Team athletes in rowing.” said Anne Martin. About the National Rowing Foundation: The National Rowing Foundation was founded in 1966 to raise funds to support international competition for rowers representing the United States of America. In its 45-year history it has grown to support rowers at all levels, Olympic, Senior, Under-23, and Junior National teams. The NRF raises funds to cover the cost of travel, equipment, training, facilities and other support where needed through US Rowing. Through the efforts of the NRF over $20MM has been donated to support our USA athletes in their pursuit of excellence and winning. The NRF also oversees and manages the National Rowing Hall of Fame and the Museum of Rowing History in Mystic, Conn. Please visit https://natrowing.org for more information. ### For additional information: Mara Keggi Ford (203) 525-6566 National Rowing Foundation; E-mail: mwkford@aol.com

Sunny San Diego

January 17, 2012 by National Rowing Foundation

It’s finally here! 2012 means for us, first and foremost, the year of the London Olympic Games. The Opening Ceremonies are less than 200 days away, nearing closer and closer. The women’s team is currently training at the Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, CA and we are loving it! The weather is perfect, the lake is beautiful and we are all looking less and less pale each day (I hope!). The facilities here are quite incredible, all the physical therapy we could wish for is right next door, limitless meals are provided for, and we are all able to stay on site for the full length of the training camp. So, definitely nothing to complain about! Except perhaps a lack of transportation, but many of the women have chosen to rent cars while we’re here.

Last week all the rowers here were required to participate in the USOC’s Olympic Ambassador Program. The highlight was definitely having the opportunity to meet some incredible Olympians. Bob Kaehler (the rowing world definitely recognizes his name), Dan O’Brien (Olympic Gold Medalist in the Decathlon) and Connie Paraskevin (five-time Olympian in cycling and speed skating) were the appointed ambassadors who led the program and did a great job. Hearing about their athletic careers and accounts of what the Olympic Games are like was really cool, especially for those of us who haven’t been.

Training is going well, we’re working hard and looking forward to racing at NSRs in mid-March.

Until next time, thanks for all your support of the NRF!

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