Jones Nabel Wins Heat, Advances to Final at First World Rowing Cup in Serbia

Mary Jones Nabel (Huntsville, Ala./University of Tennessee) easily won her heat of the lightweight women's single sculls on Friday to advance to tomorrow's final at the first World Rowing Cup of the season in Belgrade, Serbia.

The lone U.S. athlete racing at this weekend's regatta on Sava Lake, Jones Nabel won the second heat by more than 11 seconds over Spain's Natalia Miguel Gomez. With two to advance to the final, Jones Nabel established her lead in the first 500 meters and continued to extend her advantage the entire way down the course. The five-time U.S. National Team member crossed the finish line with a time of 8:19.43, with the Spanish sculler finishing in an 8:31.10.

Chile's Isidora Niemeyer won the other heat in an 8:36.27, with The Netherlands' Martine Veldhuis finishing second in an 8:43.48. The four scullers will be joined by The Netherlands' Tosca Kettler and Algeria's Nihed Benchadli, who advanced from the repechage, in tomorrow's final.

World Rowing Cup I runs through Sunday, with Saturday and Sunday's racing being streamed live on www.worldrowing.com. For an up-to-date schedule and complete results, visit the 2022 World Rowing Cup I event page.