U.S. Crews in Action at Final Paralympic Qualification Regatta

May 03, 2012

BELGRADE, Serbia – The U.S. trunk and arms mixed double sculls crew of Rob Jones (Lovettsville, Va.) and Oksana Masters (Buffalo, N.Y.) got off to a good start Thursday at the Final Paralympic Qualification Regatta on Lake Sava in Belgrade, Serbia.

Racing in its first international competition, the crew won its race for lanes in convincing fashion to earn the top seed in Saturday’s final. Jones and Masters held the lead over Brazil throughout the 1,000-meter race to finish in 4:05.37. Brazil’s Isaac Ribeiro and Josiane Lima, a Beijing Paralympic bronze medalist in the event, crossed 2.53 seconds back in 4:07.90.

Arms and shoulders women’s single sculler Dana Fink (Atlanta, Ga.) also continued her bid toward a 2012 Paralympic Team berth. Fink finished third in the first of two heats, clocking a 6:37.62, and will now race in Friday’s repechage for a chance at the final. Canada’s Joan Reid advanced straight to the final with her 5:58.32 win, along with Japan’s Mari Ohtake, winner of heat two (6:39.51).

Held in conjunction with 2012 Samsung World Cup I, the regatta is the final opportunity for athletes looking to race in London, as the top two boats in each of the four events qualify for the 2012 Paralympic Games.

For more information and a provisional timetable, visit www.worldrowing.com. During the regatta, race reports, live results and a dedicated photo gallery will be provided by World Rowing.

About USRowing
USRowing is a nonprofit organization recognized by the United States Olympic Committee as the governing body for the sport of rowing in the United States. USRowing’s official suppliers include Boathouse Sports, Vespoli, WinTech, Filippi, Croker Oars, Rudy Project, Concept2, Nielsen Kellerman, PowerHTV and Ludus Tours. USRowing also receives generous support from the National Rowing Foundation and its corporate sponsors and partners ANXeBusiness Corp, Voxer, EZ Dock, EMCVenues, The Perfect SNAQUE and INDi. For more information, visit www.usrowing.org. USRowing has created The Row to London to engage sponsors leading up to the 2012 Olympic Games, with proceeds going to help ensure the U.S. team’s success. Opportunities also exist to partner with America Rows – supporting diversity initiatives and adaptive programs. For more information, please contact Beth Kohl at beth@usrowing.org.

Allison Frederick, photo courtesy of Detlev Seyb / www.myrowingphoto.com

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