Latin America Races for the Olympics

Lake Ilopango’s launching pontoon
© FISA

Fifteen nations from Latin America will compete for Olympic spots in the FISA Olympic Continental Qualification Regatta for Latin America starting today in El Salvador’s capital of San Salvador.

Latin American countries have the opportunity to qualify for the Athens Olympics through this regatta by finishing in the top six of the men’s single, the top five of the women’s single and the top three of the men’s and women’s double.

Christian Cortez competing for host country El Salvador
© FISA

Brazil, Ecuador and Paraguay have sent the maximum number of entries with Brazil’s team including Anderson Nocetti in the men’s single. Nocetti competed at the Sydney Olympics and has raced at the international level since 1997. Most recently Nocetti finished third in the quad at the Pan American Games.

Chile’s Soraya Jadue will line up in the single as one of the favourites. She finished third at last year’s Pan American Games in the double and is aiming for her second Olympic Games. At Sydney Jadue won the C final and will be hoping to represent her country again in this event.

To make the most of weather conditions racing will start at 7.00am each day and they got underway today with heats. Finals will be on Sunday 16^th May.

The regatta is at El Salvador’s rowing training centre on lake Lake Ilopango, 10km east of San Salvador. This is the country’s biggest lake and is surrounded by pristine forest in El Salvador’s volcanic region. Ilopango sits 450 metres above sea level and is a popular destination for a variety of water sport activities.

Countries participating include Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela with Colombia and Dominican Republic competing for the first time.

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