Star Rowers Head to Beijing on 2007 Junior National Team

July 30, 2007

Winthrop '08 (second from left) and Bernstein '07 (third from left) rowing earlier this year

Two Exonians join the 41-strong U.S. team for the 2007 FISA World Rowing Junior Championships to be held August 8-11 in Beijing, China. Jeremy Bernstein '07 and Ian Winthrop '08 were among the 23 men selected from a host of competitors across the country.

Bernstein '07 is slated to compete on the mens four with coxswain in the bow seat position. Winthrop '08 rows three seat on the junior mens eight. For both athletes, this is the first year on the junior national rowing team. "I came to team selection camp this year wanting more than anything to make the team," explains Bernstein. "I was invited last year and was cut a week or two before the team was named. This year, I was excited and motivated."

Bernstein, 6'6" tall, and weighing 195 pounds, is a four-year Exonian who started rowing in 2004. Winthrop, 6'2" and 182 pounds, entered PEA as a lower. He will be co-captain of the team this coming year and started rowing in 2003. Bernstein and Winthrop rowed five and six seat respectively, on the Exeter varsity crew first boat, coached by Lawrence Smith.

Seen as a launching ground for future crew greats, the annual FISA World Rowing Junior Championships brings together just under 50 nations, with 600 competitors. Last year, the U.S. team won two medals in womens rowing: a silver in womens eight and a bronze in single scull. The last men's medal placement was in 2005, when the mens eight won gold. The competition will be held at Shunyi Olympic Rowing-Canoeing Park, future home to the rowing, canoeing and kayaking events at the 2008 Summer Olympics.   

Bernstein has never rowed internationally, and looks forward to the new challenge. "We are not worried about the other teams in particular. At this regatta, our only worry is ourselves and how well we race." Bernstein's personal hope for this regatta is "to have our best 2000 race in the final."

In order to be selected for the junior national team, athletes go through a rigorous training process and attend a selection camp, where they are assessed on a variety of factors, including competitive performance and compatibility with the rest of the crew. Both athletes worked with crew coaches Smith and David Swift during their years at Exeter. "Mr. Swift and Mr. Smith have really taught me a lot," says Bernstein. "I'm sure I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for them."

Interested in learning more?

See the profile of Jeremy Bernstein '07 on USRowing.com...

See the profile of Ian Winthrop '08 on USRowing.com...

See photos of the the junior national mens four and eight crews practicing...

Learn more about FISA, the International Federation of Rowing Associations...

Read about the history of the World Rowing Junior Championships at Wikipedia...

See the 2007 FISA World Rowing Junior Championships website for information on the regatta site in Beijing...

Learn more about team selection procedures for the junior national team...