WEST WINDSOR, N.J. - The first finals of the men's single sculls, women's single sculls, men's double sculls, lightweight men's single sculls and lightweight women's single sculls were contested on Tuesday morning at the 2007 Under 23 World Championship Trials on Lake Mercer in West Windsor, N.J.
Finals are contested in a best two-out-of-three format with the second set taking place Wednesday morning. The third set of finals will be contested on Wednesday evening, if necessary.
New York Athletic Club's James Dietz won the first final of the men's single sculls in a 7:24.34. As a 2006 Under 23 National Team member, Dietz finished 15th in the event at last year's Under 23 World Championships. Peter Van Vliet, racing unaffiliated, crossed the line in a 7:36.95 to finish second, followed by Detroit Boat Club's Stephen Lambers in a 7:43.11. Harrison Macris finished in an 8:02.84. The top three finishers advanced to tomorrow's second final.
In the first final of the women's single sculls, Michelle King, racing unaffiliated, finished more than 30 seconds ahead of Bay Area Rowing Club of Houston's Helen Tompkins. King clocked an 8:02.27 for the win, with Tompkins finishing in an 8:34.36.
Potomac Boat Club's Carl Thunman and Michael Stack won the first final of the men's double sculls. The duo clocked a 6:52.77, followed by Maritime Rowing Club's Nate Kelly and Brendan McEwan in a 6:59.65.
In the first final of the lightweight men's single sculls, Brian de Regt won in a 7:29.56. Peter Smith, racing for the U23 Lightweight Men's Development Camp, finished second in a 7:37.46. GMS Rowing Center's Mike Orzolek crossed the line third in a 7:47.01, followed by Detroit Boat Club's Robert Heide in a 7:56.75.
Undine Barge Club's Nicole Nelson won the first final of the lightweight women's single sculls in an 8:16.51, nearly three seconds ahead of Potomac Boat Club's Katherine Bucien. Bucien clocked an 8:19.47 for second place, followed by GMS Rowing Center's Vicotria Burke in an 8:22.87. Carmel Zahran from the USRowing Development Camp-Pocock finished in an 8:30.24.
The lightweight men's double sculls, lightweight women's double sculls, men's pair, lightweight men's pair, women's pair, lightweight men's quadruple sculls and men's four with coxswain all have one entry racing uncontested. The crews entered in each of those events will row down the course to officially win the event on Wednesday morning.
Winners will earn the right to represent the United States at the 2007 World Rowing Under 23 Championships July 26-29 in Strathclyde, Great Britain, if they meet the required time standard.