Time Trials Begin at USRowing’s 2025 Winter Speed Order

The 2025 Winter Speed Orders begin this afternoon at Nathan Benderson Park in Sarasota, Fla. Time trials in the men's and women's single sculls, men’s and women’s pairs, and the men’s Para single sculls are set to take place this afternoon after the schedule was changed due to weather conditions. Quarterfinals are now set for Saturday morning with semifinals following in the afternoon at Nathan Benderson Park in Sarasota, Fla.

With racing taking place in the men's and women's single sculls and pairs, the speed order not only serves as an opportunity for rowers to test their speed but is also an opportunity to receive an invitation for the U.S. National Team Selection Camp I scheduled for May 11-June 1 in Sarasota. 

In the women's single sculls, Olympians Charlotte Buck, Grace Joyce, Azja Czajkowski, and Lauren O’Connor are competing this weekend. This winter speed trial is the first opportunity for recently graduated rowers to compete against the best in the U.S. Alina Hagstrom, an alternate for the Paris 2024 Olympics, will head down the course today. Audrianna Boersen, who competed in the lightweight women’s single sculls at the 2024 World Championships, is also in attendance. Eight-time national team member Christine Cavallo continues to compete in both flat and beach sprint trials, most recently racing at the 2024 Beach Sprint Finals. 

Jacob Plihal, who represented the U.S. in the men’s single sculls at Paris 2024, is set to compete against Olympic bronze medalist Chris Carlson in the men's single sculls. The men’s event features fewer Olympians, but includes reigning Beach Sprint World Champion, Chris Bak. NYAC’s Sam Melvin, who finished fourth in men’s lightweight single at the 2024 World Championships, is also returning to compete at Winter Speed Orders. Eliot Putnam is representing NYAC, he previously raced for Team USA in the men’s single sculls at the 2023 World Championships. 

The men’s and women’s pairs feature Olympians who are all competing with a potentially new teammate. Olympic bronze medalist Henry Hollingsworth is the only member from the men’s eight competing in the pair this weekend. Jess Thoennes is bringing international experience, having finished fourth at the Olympics in the women’s pair. Boatmates from Paris, Mary Mazzio-Manson and Kate Knifton are scheduled to take part in the speed order, while Teal Cohen is competing in the pair after having previously sculling in the women’s quadruple sculls at the 2024 Olympics.

Paralympic silver medalist Ben Washburne will compete against two-time national team member Andrew Mangan in the PR M1x.

Racing is scheduled to start at 4:15 p.m. this afternoon. Saturday’s quarterfinals will begin at 9:15 a.m. Heat sheets and results can be found here. 

USRowing would like to thank our national team sponsors including our Official Boat Supplier for the U.S. Senior and Para Rowing National Teams, Filippi Lido; our Official Apparel Provider, 776BC; our Official Partner, Broadridge Financial Solutions Inc., our Official Boat Supplier for the U.S. Under 19 and Under 23 National Team, Hudson; our Official Performance Electronics Outfitter, Nielsen-Kellerman; the National Rowing Foundation; and TrainingPeaks, the Official Training and Coaching Software of USRowing's High Performance Team.