Rowing Canada Aviron today confirmed that there will be a $17,500 purse at the upcoming National Rowing Championships, approximately $5000 more than last year.
This year's purse is provided by an anonymous donor in the Niagara region. The regatta is held in Welland, Ont.
"It's exciting that members of this community, where rowing has such a strong tradition, see the value of rewarding athletes for their dedication to the sport at its highest level," said Rowing Canada Aviron's VP of Marketing, John Lehnen. "Especially in an Olympic year, we expect the racing to be of an excellent calibre with Canada's top athletes vying to be a step closer to Beijing."
Money will be distributed over several events.
"Prize money is always an incredible bonus," said National Team athlete Darcy Marquardt of Richmond, B.C., who won the women's singles event at this past weekend's Head of the Charles regatta in Boston, and will be competing in Welland with her pair partner Jane Rumball. "It helps offset costs associated with training. I'm very pleased with this announcement."
This is the second year of the National Rowing Championships, and the first year that it will be held in conjunction with the Canadian University Rowing Championships (Nov. 1 to 4, 2007). Top rowers from the National Training Centres and the provinces will compete in small boats to be named the National Champion. Athletes will include members of Canada's World Championship gold-medal men's eight, and other Olympic hopefuls, as well as up and comers.
http://www.rowingcanada.org/competition/nrc/