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Memorable Experience at 2012 USRowing Masters National Championships
August 09, 2012
WORCESTER, Mass. – The sound of memory making and old pals reminiscing filled the air at Regatta Point on Lake Quinisigamond in Worcester, Mass., as the first day of racing got underway at the 2012 USRowing Masters National Championships.
As this year’s largest national masters sprint rowing event, the race itself has developed into more than a yearly athletic competition.
For Mary-Rose Burnham of Skidmore Community Rowing, racing this year brings her back to the last masters national championships here.
“This experience takes me back seven years to before I had children,” said Burnham. “It’s a familiar feeling and its good to be back but the racing is crazy competitive.”
For many of the veteran masters rowers, like Burhmam, the event has a nostalgic air.
It is a chance to reconnect with old acquaintances and settle scores with friendly, or not so friendly, competition.
“Racing is a lot more competitive and masters racing has come leaps and bounds over the years,” said Louise Farrell of Albany Rowing.
Experiencing her first taste of masters rowing rivalry, Rebecca Kimball was pleasantly surprised by her experience this summer.
“I joined the CRI (Community Rowing Inc.,) masters for the summer after hearing great things about the coach, Matt,” said Kimball. “The practices are hard and it’s been a great workout.”
A junior at Wellesley College this fall and 21 years of age, many of her boatmates are the same age as her parents.
Some have even taken on a motherly role.
“Rowing with these ladies who are so strong has been inspirational,” said Kimball. “It has really solidified my passion for rowing. Some have taken on the role as a mother, caring for me. Overall, it has made me want to continue and possibly want to row masters again next summer.”
A morning of heats progressed to an afternoon of 67 competitive finals for various boats and age categories.
Several crews took home medals and trophies to remind them of one of the unforgettable aspects of attending this event, a year of bragging rights.
For a complete race schedule, updates on the regatta and links to results (as available), visit http://www.usrowing.org/Events/MastersNationals.aspx.
Finals can be viewed live each day beginning Thursday, August 9, at http://www.ustream.tv/usrowing.
Press coverage of the event will be available at http://www.usrowing.org/Pressbox/Inteventcoverage/12MasterNationalsCoverage.aspx.
The 2012 USRowing Masters National Championships is the first of two masters’ championship regattas USRowing will host over the next two months. The first-ever USRowing Masters National Head Race Championship will be held September 16 on the Cuyahoga River in Cleveland, Ohio. Currently home to the Head of the Cuyahoga, the 4,800-meter course involves strategy, curves, and fun. In addition to five major river turns (including an S-bend), gorgeous views of the Cleveland skyline are situated throughout the course. To register, visit www.regattacentral.com.
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 and The Perfect SNAQUE. 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.
Monica Worsley
Masters Features
