CAMDEN, N.J. - Scott Killan of GMS Rowing Club anxiously paced around the Shimano results tent after his men's open c double sculls final. After meeting and rowing with his pair partner Jeffrey Brock of Narraganset for the first time this morning and qualifying for the Saturday night final, Killan was anxious to see his first photo finish from his first Masters Nationals regatta.
In one of the closest finishes of the regatta so far, the margin of victory between first through fourth place was only 0.864 seconds.
"We were all even across for most of the race," said Killan. "We started out a little down at the start but made a move and pulled back into the race. We tried to make a move at the end but obviously were stalled." Killan, who has rowed since 1978 both as a lightweight and a coxswain, has been putting off competing at a Masters Nationals event for far too long in his opinion.
"This event is amazing. It has been fantastic seeing all of my old friends and teammates here. I can't believe I waited so long but I have loved every second of it."
On day three of the 2015 USRowing Masters National Championships, 60 finals raced down the Cooper River as champions were made and goals were reached.
For some, just getting to race is the better than any medal they could win.Winning does make it a little sweeter though.
For Long Beach Rowing Association's Earl Johnson, being the oldest racer on the river is not the only title he can claim this weekend. The 86-year-old also took gold in the men's k single sculls final.
Better than any medal though, is the opportunity to race with his son who lives on the east coast in the father/son race.Earl and his son Dan took fourth place in Friday night's final but have won the race four out of the last eight times they have competed in it.
"Can you imagine, getting to continue rowing at my age!" said Johnson. "The biggest blessing is still being able to get up and have the ability to row still. I am so happy that I can do this and to have an opportunity to get to do it with my son is great."
Riding their post-Friday high, the Chinook Performance Racing crew moved from third to first in the overall points trophy race with 494 points over Capital Rowing Club (477) and Saugatuck Rowing Club (476).
With 420 points, Chinook also leads the women's points trophy race. Potomac Boat Club continues to hold their top in the race for the men's points trophy with 325 points.
The final day of the 2015 USRowing Masters National Championships will begin with the mixed G double sculls heat at 7:30 a.m.