Lofgren in finals at rowing world championships

LINZ, Austria — Newport Beach is making a big statement this week at the Junior and Senior Rowing World Championships in Linz, Austria.

Esther Lofgren, a Newport Harbor High product, won her first heat in the senior women’s four division Thursday, the first day of competition,

The foursome put up the fastest time of the day with a come-from-behind win finishing in 6 minutes, 31.81 seconds. Lofgren and company narrowly edged a surging Russian team by 3.13 seconds. The win puts the team directly in the finals set for Sunday.

Lofgren served as an alternate at last year’s championships and won the eight at the 2008 FISA World Cup stop in Lucerne, Switzerland.

Austin Brooks and J.P. Hogan, also Newport Harbor High products, are representing the U.S. in the junior men’s pair in Austria as well this week. The duo’s first race is today and the finals are set for Saturday.

Brooks and Hogan won the eight at the 2008 US Rowing Youth National Championships as well as the eight, four and double sculls at the 2008 USRowing Southwest Junior Championships.

Twelve junior crews and eight senior crews are representing the United States at the 2008 FISA World Rowing Senior and Junior Championships.

— From staff reports