The 2010 FIFA World Cup is not the only World Cup competition that is occurring this weekend. Former GVSU rower, Sarah Zelenka, is representing the United States in Lucerne, Switzerland while competing in the 2010 International Rowing Federation (FISA) Rowing World Cup III.

Sarah, rowing bow seat, helped the US Women’s Eight qualify for the Grand Finals on Friday when her boat won their preliminary heat in a time of 6:07.76 ahead of Germany, China and Poland.

Sarah tasted success this Saturday when she and three other US teammates crossed the finish line first, winning Gold in the Women’s Four without coxswain in a time of 6:47.87 ahead of Germany, China and India. Germany finished second with a time of 6:54.07, giving the US the win with open water.

Sarah was a member of several winning boats while at Grand Valley including the 2009 Dad Vail Champions Women’s D1 Varsity Eight. Last summer she competed for the US in the U-23 World Championship in the Women’s Four without coxswain where they finished sixth. Sarah is the only female member of the Laker Navy to ever participate on a national team and also win a medal.

Sarah had another chance to medal when the US Women’s Eight competed against the Netherlands, Great Britain, Canada, Germany and China this Sunday in the Grand Finals Sunday afternoon. After a slow start that saw the USA down to both Canada and Great Britain, the Americans slowly inched back into the race through the middle 1000m. In a truly amazing final sprint, the United States overcame the one second deficit to inch out the Canadians at the line by 0.2 seconds. The victory marked Zelenka’s second this weekend. She will now return to Princeton, NJ to train in preparation for selection to the World Championships in New Zealand this November.

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