U.S. delegation vies for regatta

The waiting has begun.

Local officials had 15 minutes today to convince officials from the International Federation of Rowing Associations that Nathan Benderson Park, in Sarasota, will be the prime location to host the 2017 World Rowing Championships.

Paul Blackketter, chief operating officer for the SunCoast Aquatic Nature Center Association, the non-profit tasked with managing the park's rowing facilities, as well as associated rowing sites in Manatee and Sarasota counties, said officials will learn in about two weeks if their presentation today in Lucerne, Switzerland, was successful.

"We don't want to get ahead of ourselves and assume anything," Blackketter said less than 30 minutes after concluding the presentation. "We feel confident. Our team we brought (here to present) was first class. We did a lot of rehearsals, and (the presentation) came off effortlessly and seamlessly. It's very exciting."

The East County rowing venue is one of two being considered to host the event.

Contact Pam Eubanks at [email protected].