Saratoga Rowers Compete in Paris Olympics

PARIS, FRANCE — Two members of the Saratoga Rowing Association competed in the 2024 Paris Olympics this week and last week: Kristi Wagner and Lauren O’Connor. As of press time, Wagner was scheduled to row in the women’s double sculls B Final on Thursday. O’Connor was slated to compete in the women’s quadruple sculls B Final on Wednesday.

Wagner had finished third in a prior event on Saturday, which allowed her to advance to the semifinals held on Tuesday. In the semifinals, Wagner and her doubles partner Sophia Vitas placed fifth with a time of 07:04.12.

O’Connor’s quadruple sculls team also placed fifth in their repechage event on Monday morning, sending them to the B Final. 

Both Wagner and O’Connor have been knocked out of the running for medals, but their overall placement in the games will depend upon their performances on Thursday and Wednesday, respectively. 

The Paris 2024 games marked Wagner’s second Olympic appearance. She previously finished fifth at the 2020 games in Tokyo. For O’Connor, the Paris games were her first time in Olympic competition.

Wagner and Vitas previously won a bronze medal at the 2023 World Rowing Championships. Wagner is the host of a podcast, “The Other 3 Years,” in which she discusses her journey to qualify for the Olympics. Her profile on the Team USA website notes that she enjoys hiking in the Adirondacks. She is currently the Regatta Director for the Saratoga Rowing Association, where she plans the “Head of the Fish” race held in October on Fish Creek.

O’Connor finished 11th in quadruple sculls at the 2023 World Rowing Championships. She is originally from Belleville, Wisconsin. She has been a coach and athlete at the Saratoga Rowing Association for the past three years.