George Wheeler and James Robinson kicked off spring racing for Rocket City Rowing this past weekend at the Sarasota Invitational at Nathan Benderson Park in Sarasota, Florida. The regatta drew a large group of masters rowers from Florida and as far afield as Coeur d’Alene Idaho, Boston Massachusetts and Berlin, Germany.
Their experience and winter training paid off. Despite extremely limited water time because the Tennessee River has been at or near flood stage since mid-November, our intrepid rowers finished the regatta with 3 gold medals (Mens Masters 2x, Mixed Masters 2x, Mixed Masters 4x), a silver medal (James – Mens Masters 1x), and a bronze medal (George – Men’s Masters 1x). The mixed boat race victories were secured with strong rowing from Nashville Rowing Club masters women Lizabeth Theiss (Mixed 2x and Mixed 4x) and Kren Teren (Mixed 4x).
In a special race for military veterans, George (USMC Retired) finished 3rd but was honored with a gold medal as were all the participating veterans.
Rocket City Rowing’s next regatta will be the Clemson Sprints at Lake Hartwell, South Carolina on Saturday, April 2. Go Rocket City (and Nashville Rowing too!)