Dear Athletes:

Happy New Year! In an effort to improve communication with athletes training at and away from training center locations, the following should bring you up to speed in regard to the year ahead and the information you need to pursue your rowing goals and success. The priority is to make sure that you, the athlete, have access to up to date information in regard to necessary selection events, funding opportunities and criteria, and selection criteria. Many of you have offered suggestions, and we encourage you to continue to contact any one of your athlete representatives or myself with questions and input.

Athlete Information For 2006:

Many of you have contacted USRowing to ask about dates, funding and selection procedures for the 2006 season. Athletes have their own page at the USRowing Web site where all relevant information from testing to selection procedures can be found at: http://www.usrowing.org/Olympic_NationalTeam/index.aspx

A brief overview of what is now online is listed below. Please read through the details on the Web site and pass along any questions you may still have to the staff and volunteers listed below. 

2006 National Selection Regattas

Events:

The 2006 season will find the addition of a third NSR, replacing the traditional spring speed order. This three-day event will mark the initial selection opportunity for the open singles and the chance for athletes to test their speed and to meet training partners for larger boats.

Click here for the entire 2006 schedule.

2006 Performance Incentives

Top placement at NSRs and the fall small boat regatta may result in performance funding. Information related to the amount and ranking needed to receive incentive funding will be posted in the registration information for each qualifying event.

Lightweight Athlete Weigh-ins

Lightweight events will be run at FISA max for NSR I & II and the fall small boat regatta, and FISA weight for NSR III and trials.

Funding

Tier I

Tier I athlete support is provided to athletes meeting the definition criteria outlined in the 2006 Athlete and Medical Support Plan found here.

Tier II

Tier II USOC athlete support will be administered on a quarterly basis in 2006. The USOC budget has been approved and athletes should expect this year’s process to commence with first quarter. Tier II athletes will be asked to complete an intent form. The committee of coaches, HPC chair and the two USOC athlete reps will assess which candidacies result in funding based on the criteria outlined here.

The funding slots represent less than the total number of seats in priority boats, and athletes will be competing for money on a quarterly basis. Athletes not training for priority events will not be selected for athlete support.

EAHI

Athlete health insurance will be reviewed twice per year in May and October. There are exactly 48 slots allotted for EAHI and the prioritized criteria can be found here.

Selection Procedures

Many of you may have been following the results of the amendment vote in December. The HPC has posted selection procedures for a two week comment period (beginning January 13) after which the USRowing Board will vote on them. Comments regarding the procedures should be sent to the HPC through your athlete representatives or another HPC member.

Worlds Logistics

I am pleased to announce the promotion of Elpi Pagitsas to Programs Manager. She will be handling the 2006 World Championships trip.

The Eton Championships will be held August 20-27, with trials running July 31 - August 4. Spectator tickets are now on sale; a link can be found on USRowing.org.

Non-Olympic boat classes will be responsible for paying their costs with all housing and dining arrangements made by USRowing. The cost for these expenses will be published by May 2006. An early container will run to England in early July and boats will be leased for non-Olympic boat classes. Trials winners may choose to transport their own equipment at their expense. Details on leased boats will be available before June 1.

Finally, 2006 will mark many changes for USRowing. In February, we will consolidate our offices to Princeton. New staff and programs will be coming as the spring comes along. As always, if you have questions or thoughts, please contact myself, Elpi or any of your athlete representatives.

Elpi Pagitsas, Programs Manager, 609-419-1936, elpi@usrowing.org 

Glenn Merry, USRowing Director, glenn@usrowing.org, 800-314-4ROW

Kate Johnson, USOC AAC Rep, 619-517-3645, kate_johnson1@hotmail.com 

Peter Cipollone, USOC AAC Rep, 609-933-8852, peter.cipollone@gmail.com

Anna Mickelson, USRowing Board Rep, 609 240-2557, annamickelson@hotmail.com

Bryan Volpenhein, USRowing Board Rep, 609-638-4063, bryanvolpenhein@hotmail.com

Sloan DuRoss, HPC Athlete Rep, sduross@yahoo.com

Chris Ahrens, HPC Athlete Rep, cahrens@nyc.rr.com