World Rowing Championships: Day Two

Thousands of people are flowing in and out of the 2017 World Rowing Championships at Nathan Benderson Park.

To avoid chaos, it takes a superhuman effort to keep things under control and all people where they should be.

Thankfully for everyone, Palm Aire’s Dianne Fisher is up to the challenge. Fisher is the captain of the access control team at the championships. She makes sure all access points are secure across the entire park.

“For example, at the Finish Tower, we have certain people who are allowed on each floor,” Fisher said. “Media, FISA (World Rowing), the Swiss timing (staff). We make sure everything is secure according to FISA standards.”

Fisher oversees 20 volunteers, and each volunteer is responsible for a different area. This means most of her day is spent on her feet, walking across the grounds. Based on what she has heard from others with similar positions, Fisher estimates she has walked approximately 10 miles each day of the championships.

The biggest logistical challenge for Fisher, whose day job is with Visit Sarasota County, is making sure all her volunteers stay where they are supposed to be, she said. Making sure volunteers know each aspect of credential passes they need to check is also important. Fisher said the process has been “smooth” thus far, with no odd happenings or people trying to enter restricted areas.

“It’s just been really cool,” Fisher said of the experience. “It’s so special to have a world-class event here.”

With Fisher and Co. controlling the crowds, the athletes were allowed to perform uninhibited, and perform they did, especially on the U.S. women’s side.

The U.S. women’s pair (2-) of Tracy Eisser and Megan Kalmoe won its heat with a time of 7:06.26, the fastest time in the event. The pair will advance to the event’s A final race on Saturday.

Not to be outdone, the U.S. women’s double scull (2x) boat of Ellen Tomek and Meghan O’Leary won its heat in 6:52.08. Tomek and O’Leary, too, were the fastest boat in the event’s heats. The pair advances to the event’s A/B semifinals on Friday.

The U.S. women’s four (4-) of Kendall Chase, Erin Reelick, Kristine O’Brien and Molly Bruggemann finished second in its heat (6:35.590), which came with good and bad news. Only the winners of the heats automatically advanced to the event’s A final, but the foursome’s time was better than every other country except Australia. The boat will compete in the event’s repechage race on Wednesday, with a good shot at winning.

Michael Clougher, the U.S. men's single scull (1x) representative who finished third in his heat Sept. 24, won his repechage race in 7:04.66 and will advance to the event's quarterfinals on Wednesday. 

Also check out:

WRC: What you need to know

Day One coverage

Opening Ceremonies coverage

The Observer's guide to the 2017 World Rowing Championships