921 rowers, 369 boats and thousands of friends and family from 69 countries around the world—all focused on the glistening 2,180 meters of still blue water at Nathan Benderson Park for the return of the World Rowing Championships. Once a pasture, then a sandpit and now one of the premier rowing destinations in the world, Nathan Benderson Park transformed into an Olympic-style athletic village for the nine-day international competition, bringing world-class competitors to sandy, sunny Sarasota in search of excellence, gold medals and that elusive perfect stroke.

Photo 1

Jah Movement Reggae Band gets the crowd into the groove as the sun sets on opening night. 

 

Photo 2

Brazil’s Xavier Vela would eventually pull down a bronze finish in the Lightweight Men’s Pair with partner Wilian Giaretton, behind the Ireland team in first and the rowers from Italy in second. 

 

Photo 3

Mary Jones of the USA is all grins after a bronze medal finish in the Lightweight Women’s Single Sculls, improving on her fourth place finish at the 2017 World Rowing Cup III in Lucerne earlier this year. 

Photo 4

Xuan Xulian, Shen Ling, Pan Dandan and Chen Fang of the Chinese Lightweight Women’s Quadruple Sculls overtake the Canadian team, garnering a bronze medal for their efforts.


Homepage Image: Darius Aghai of the US Men’s Eight team hoists coxswain Julan Venonsky on his shoulders to celebrate a silver medal finish, behind the German team led by rowing powerhouse Richard Schmidt.