2009 U.S. Rowing Junior World Championship Trials underway

WEST WINDSOR, N.J. - The first set of 2009 USRowing Junior World Championship Trials are underway at Mercer Lake in West Windsor, N.J. Held in conjunction with the 2009 USRowing National Championships, the trials select the boats that will represent the United States in the men's single sculls, women's single sculls, women's double sculls and men's four at the 2009 FISA World Rowing Junior Championships August 5-8 in Brive-la-Gaillarde, France.

 In the women's double sculls, GMS Rowing Center's Samantha Warren and Kim Hopewell recorded the fastest time of the morning, clocking a 7:32.443. Earlier this month, Hopewell won gold in both the women's double and quadruple sculls at the USRowing Youth National Championships, while Warren took silver in the women's single sculls. GMS teammates Margy Bertasi and Alix Chrumka finished second in the time trial with a 7:32.619, followed by the GMS duo of Abby Knight and Katie Burke in third. Tempe Junior Crew's Alexandra Cours and Sophie Heywood finished fourth to advance to the first final.

 Racing continues Friday at 8 a.m. with the first rounds of finals, which are held in a best two-out-of-three format. The second round of finals will take place Friday at 3:30 p.m. If necessary, third finals will be run Saturday starting at 7:30 a.m.

 Complete results are available at www.powerhousetiming.com.

 Mercer Lake is no stranger to elite-level events as it has hosted numerous U.S. national selection regattas, world championship trials and Olympic trials, as well as the 2006 NCAA Women's Rowing Championships, 2006 FISA World Masters Regatta and the Princeton stop of the 2001 FISA World Cup circuit.

 USRowing is a nonprofit organization recognized by the United States Olympic Committee as the governing body for the sport of rowing in the United States. USRowing's Official Suppliers are Hudson Boat Works and Boathouse Sports; its Official Patron is Concept2; its Official Electronics Outfitter is Nielsen Kellerman; its Official Timer is Powerhouse Timing; and its Preferred Printer is Sport Graphics Printing. USRowing also receives generous support from the National Rowing Foundation.

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