USA Rowing World Challenge expands rowing in Oklahoma

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16/10/2007

Night racing at the USA World Rowing Challenge, held on the Oklahoma River, in Oklohoma City.<br />

Oklahoma City, USA, is not known for rowing. One man, regatta director Mike Knopp, is changing that and doing it in Olympic size proportions. The USA Rowing World Challenge, in its first year, attracted some of the best rowers in the world as they prepare for the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

This is just the beginning of Knopp’s dream to make Oklahoma City the main centre for rowing in the United States.

(L-R) Sally Kehoe (AUS), Emma Twigg (NZL) and Anna-Marie de Zwager (CAN) at the at the USA World Rowing Challenge held on the Oklahoma River in Oklohoma City.<br />

(L-R) Sally Kehoe (AUS), Emma Twigg (NZL) and Anna-Marie de Zwager (CAN) at the at the USA World Rowing Challenge held on the Oklahoma River in Oklohoma City.<br />

Heading up the list of big names racing last weekend was fastest single sculler in the world, New Zealand’s Mahe Drysdale. Drysdale finished first over 2000m to take the big prize money but had to settle for second in the 500m NightSprint.

Under 360,000 watts of light, the men’s single NightSprint turned out to be the highlight of the regatta with the top three rowers finishing within half a second of each other. In front of a crowd of over 50,000 spectators, Peter Hardcastle of Australia finished first. Hardcastle was a late addition to his country’s world championship team this year and proved his worth by qualifying the single for the Olympic Games. Jamie Schroeder of the United States took third.

New Zealand dominated the men’s 2000m single race with Nathan Cohen (from New Zealand’s national team double), finishing just behind Drysdale. Hardcastle took third.

Night racing at the USA World Rowing Challenge, held on the Oklahoma River in Oklohoma City.

Night racing at the USA World Rowing Challenge, held on the Oklahoma River in Oklohoma City.

Australia’s Sally Kehoe was the fastest in the women’s single 500m night sprint followed by Anna-Marie de Zwager of Canada in second and New Zealand’s top woman single sculler, Emma Twigg in third. Twigg turned the race around over the 2000m course to win ahead of de Zwager with Kehoe taking third.

The two reigning World Champions of the eight, the United States women and the Canadian men won their respective 2000m race. In the women’s race the Buffy Williams stroked Canadian boat took second with Australia finishing third. For the men the United States finished behind Canada with the Czech Republic in third. Over 500m the United States men caused an upset by beating Canada. The United States women held their own to also win the 500m sprint.

Silver medallist Nathan Cohen of New Zealand (left) and gold medallist Mahe Drysdale of New Zealand at the USA World Rowing Challenge, held on the Oklahoma River in Oklohoma City.

Silver medallist Nathan Cohen of New Zealand (left) and gold medallist Mahe Drysdale of New Zealand at the USA World Rowing Challenge, held on the Oklahoma River in Oklohoma City.

The regatta was part of the Oklahoma Centennial Regatta Festival with rowing being the highlight of the festival.

Knopp describes many highlights from the festival. “We had nearly 3,000 Oklahoma City school children attend on Friday to watch the USA Rowing World Challenge. Actress Holly Hunter and her entourage were also there.”

“Gymnasts Bart Connor and Nadia Comaneci hosted a group of more than a dozen Olympic skaters and gymnasts at the venue Saturday evening. Among those were gymnast Paul Hamm and skater Surya Bonaly.”

The US National Team eight racing during the night sprints of the USA World Rowing Challenge held on the Oklahoma River in Oklahoma City.

The US National Team eight racing during the night sprints of the USA World Rowing Challenge held on the Oklahoma River in Oklahoma City.

The Corporate Challenge for rowing attracted a huge 29 entries and Knopp noted that thousands of local residents turned out to watch the challenge.

The regatta also included the head race, Head of the Oklahoma which attracted collegiate crews from across the United States. Colleges had the opportunity to be part of the NightSprint with the women’s collegiate eight attracting 18 entries.

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