LUZERN, Switzerland - Six U.S. crews are set to race at the 2012 Samsung World Rowing Cup II May 25-27 in Lucerne, Switzerland, just two days after the Final Olympic Qualification Regatta. The second of three World Cups will feature more than 550 rowers from 45 countries competing in 17 events.
The U.S. has entered six boats in five events, including the men’s single sculls, lightweight women’s double sculls, women’s quadruple sculls, women’s pair and women’s eight.
Three athletes – Ken Jurkowski (New Fairfield, Conn.) in the men’s single and Julie Nichols (Livermore, Calif.) and Kristin Hedstrom (Concord, Mass.) in the lightweight women’s double – have the opportunity to qualify for the 2012 Olympic team if they finish in the top four in their events.
Beijing gold medalists Eleanor Logan (Boothbay Harbor, Maine) and Erin Cafaro (Modesto, Calif.) have already qualified for London in the women’s pair with their silver medal at World Cup I earlier this month. The crew has until May 30 to accept or decline their Olympic berth in the pair.
The U.S. has entered two women’s quad crews in the Lucerne world cup. The USA I entry consists of Kate Bertko (Oakland, Calif.), Adrienne Martelli (University Place, Wash.), Natalie Dell (Clearville, Pa.) and Stesha Carle (Long Beach, Calif.).
The USA 2 entry is Megan Kalmoe (St. Croix Falls, Wis.), Kara Kohler (Clayton, Calif.), Kady Glessner (Seattle, Wash.) and Gevvie Stone (Newton, Mass.). Stone is fresh off of her third place finish in the 2012 Final Qualification Regatta, where she earned a spot in the London Olympic Games.
In addition, the defending Olympic and world champion women’s eight is making its international debut in 2012. Set to race in Lucerne is coxswain Mary Whipple (Orangevale, Calif.), Caryn Davies (Ithaca, N.Y.), Caroline Lind (Greensboro, N.C.), Taylor Ritzel (Larkspur, Colo.), Meghan Musnicki (Naples, N.Y.), Amanda Polk (Pittsburgh, Pa.), Jamie Redman (Spokane, Wash.), Susan Francia (Abington, Pa.) and Esther Lofgren (Newport Beach, Calif.).
Racing begins Friday morning with heats. For a competition schedule, entries and results, visit www.worldrowing.com.