Pan American Games taking shape

The United States, which will send one of the largest teams to the Pan American rowing regatta, has recently held trials and chosen 11 crews. Leading the way will be men’s single sculler, Ken Jurkowski. Jurkowski is the country’s top single sculler and he will also be competing at the World Rowing Championships in Bled, Slovenia at the end of this month. Jurkowski is a 2008 Olympian and medalled earlier this season at the Samsung World Rowing Cup.

Margot Shumway, also a 2008 Olympian, will represent the United States in the women’s single scull with another Olympian, Jennifer Goldsack competing in the lightweight women’s single sculls. Olympic Champion from 2004, Jason Read will be part of the men’s four along with Matt Wheeler, Joe Spencer and Steve Kasprzyk.

For a full crew list click here. http://www.usrowing.org/News/11-08-18/2011_Pan_American_Games_Trials_Complete.aspx

Host nation Mexico has selected their athletes with men’s single sculler Patrick Loliger leading the way. Analicia Ramirez, who medalled at the 2007 Pan American Games, is also competing along with Beijing Olympians Lila Perez and Gabriela Huerta. The team will prepare at a camp on the Pan American regatta course at Lake Zapotlan.

Expected to dominate the medals podium will be the United States and Canada and also Argentina, Brazil and Cuba will be strong contenders. At the 2007 Pan American Games, Cuba topped the medals podium.

The rowing venue at Lake Zapotlan, south of Jalisco, is about an hour away from host city, Guadalajara. It is a natural lake that is currently undergoing improvements in preparation for racing. The lake is three metres deep and at the widest point is 4,700m. Making it ready for the regatta includes improving the main road and updating dock access. There is also a finish tower being constructed and temporary spectator seating for up to 1,100 people, is to be set up. The plan is for this venue to become a high performance centre after the Games have finished so two boathouses and a gym is to be constructed.

Rowing at the Pan American Games goes from 15 – 19 October, 2011 with 210 athletes (155 men and 55 women) taking part in 14 events.

The Pan American Games takes place every four years, in the year before the Olympic Games and 42 countries participate including Canada and the United States. There are 28 sports on the programme that are competed at the Summer Olympic Games. Then the host country, with approval, can select additional disciplines. At Guadalajara competition will also be in waterskiing and basque pelota.