After winning Northeast Regionals and USRowing Nationals, the CBC pair had the opportunity to participate in a National Team trial event allowing them to earn their spot in the U19 World Rowing Championships. The dynamic duo, Annika Nelson (bow) and Caroline Krantz (stroke) took the trial by storm. The pair finished their National Team trial with a speedy time of 7:35 (they won Nationals by open water with a time of 7:46). Nelson shared, “Going into trials we were nervous and didn’t have high expectations because we knew our time from Nationals and that was very far off from the time standard that we needed to qualify for Junior World’s. In our Trial final we raced as hard as we could and surprised ourselves with what we were capable of and how well we could race. Even though it has been weeks, it is still setting in that we have qualified to go to Paris!”
This is the 20th consecutive summer that Liz Trond (CBC Head Coach) has put an athlete on the U19 World Rowing Championship Team. Trond has led an incredible career of coaching in Connecticut and continues to reach new heights for Women’s Rowing year after year. “Caroline and Annika have worked extremely hard with a really great attitude and a lot of fun over the past 4 years. They are truly a joy to coach and I can’t wait to coach them through the world championship” Trond expressed with excitement and honor. The Junior World Rowing Championship will be home to the test event for the 2024 Olympics. Trond has participated in the magic of Olympic test events in the past such as the one that took place in Rio de Janeiro.
Pair stroke, Caroline Krantz added, “We’ve been working so hard in the pair for the last year and a half, but also have had this dream since Novice year to get to where we are today. It didn’t feel real until we got to the dock after the time trial and Liz gave us a hug. We realize that this opportunity is incredible and we may never get this opportunity again so we are training really hard to represent CBC and USA in Paris.” Krantz holds duel citizenship with the United States and France, at the conclusion of her and Annika’s time trial she called her mom to share the news. “My mom started crying when I called her and shared that we qualified for World’s. My mom is a French immigrant and to have the opportunity to go back to the country that she is from as a strong American family, representing the United States means the world to her. This is a big moment for sure!”
Annika has always had aspirations of earning her seat on the National Team. The racing in Paris will be Annika’s first time racing overseas and she feels that it is even more special that she will get to race with Caroline as they have known each other each other since 5th grade.
We wish this hard-working pair the BEST of luck in Paris! Racing will take place from August 2-6.
#goCBC #goUSA
