Racing for a chance to represent the United States in the 2012 Olympic Games in London began today in Chula Vista, California.
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| Smith and Sechser |
Competing in National Selection Regatta II are 10 lightweight women’s double sculls crews, with the winner earning the opportunity to go to Europe for the first two world cup stops. If that crew finishes in the top four, it will be named to the team. If it does not, the boat class will be included in the 2012 Olympic Trials – Rowing scheduled for June 11-14 in West Windsor, N.J.
In the Non-Qualified Olympic Small Boats Trials, racing was featured in the women’s single sculls, women’s double sculls, lightweight men’s double sculls and men’s double sculls. The winning crews in those events will earn the right to compete at the Final Olympic Qualification Regatta in May and attempt to qualify the boats for London.
The first event of the morning session was a time trial for the lightweight women’s double sculls.
Crossing with the best time was the Lake Union Crew entry of Ursula Grobler and Hillary Saeger with a time of 6:52.767, followed by Oklahoma City's entry of Chelsea Smith and Michelle Sechser in 6:54.185. Finishing with the third best time of the trial was California Rowing Club’s entry of Julie Nichols and Kristin Hedstrom.
In the heats of the men’s double sculls, the Penn Athletic Club/Potomac Boat Club composite entry of William Cowles and Stephen Whelpley finished first in heat 1 in a time of 6:29.343, while Oklahoma City's Pat Close and Max Goff finished 3rd in 6:43.7. In heat 2, USTC - Chula Vista’s Elliot Hovey and Alex Osborne finished first in 6:36.727. In the third heat, USRowing Training Center - Chula Vista entry of Warren Anderson and Sam Stitt finished first in 6:29.019, followed by Oklahoma City's Ryan Shelton and Martin Etem in a time of 6:32.4. Shelton and Etem advance to tomorrow's semi finals while Goff and Close will head to the Men's Double repechage tonight at 6:00 PM PST.
In the Non-Qualified Olympic Small Boats Trials, racing was featured in the women’s single sculls, women’s double sculls, lightweight men’s double sculls and men’s double sculls. The winning crews in those events will earn the right to compete at the Final Olympic Qualification Regatta in May and attempt to qualify the boats for London.
The first event of the morning session was a time trial for the lightweight women’s double sculls.
Crossing with the best time was the Lake Union Crew entry of Ursula Grobler and Hillary Saeger with a time of 6:52.767, followed by Oklahoma City's entry of Chelsea Smith and Michelle Sechser in 6:54.185. Finishing with the third best time of the trial was California Rowing Club’s entry of Julie Nichols and Kristin Hedstrom.
In the heats of the men’s double sculls, the Penn Athletic Club/Potomac Boat Club composite entry of William Cowles and Stephen Whelpley finished first in heat 1 in a time of 6:29.343, while Oklahoma City's Pat Close and Max Goff finished 3rd in 6:43.7. In heat 2, USTC - Chula Vista’s Elliot Hovey and Alex Osborne finished first in 6:36.727. In the third heat, USRowing Training Center - Chula Vista entry of Warren Anderson and Sam Stitt finished first in 6:29.019, followed by Oklahoma City's Ryan Shelton and Martin Etem in a time of 6:32.4. Shelton and Etem advance to tomorrow's semi finals while Goff and Close will head to the Men's Double repechage tonight at 6:00 PM PST.
