Canada’s top rowers are raising their game as they compete for spots in the Olympic rowing camp at this weekend’s NIKE National Rowing Trials in Victoria, B.C. A mix of World Champions, former Olympians and up and comers are vying for a chance to fulfill their Olympic dreams, and the trials officially begin that process. Canada has qualified seven boats – or 32 seats – for the 2004 Games so far, and many of the athletes rowing this weekend are hoping to be part of the team that will head to Athens next summer.
The following is a summary of today’s racing and a preview of the finals’ lineup:
Men's coxless pair (rep 1 and 2 - top two qualified): David Calder of Victoria and Tom Herschmiller of Comox, B.C. took the first rep in 6:20,24, with Adam Kreek of London, Ont. and Kyle Hamilton of Richmond, B.C. coming in second in 6:25.26 to also qualify for the A finals at the trials tomorrow. In the second rep, Jake Wetzel of Saskatoon, Sask. and Barney Williams of Salt Spring Island, B.C. won their rep in 6:19.06 in a tight race with Kevin Light of Sidney, B.C. and Cam Baerg of Saskatoon, Sask. (6:19.82). "We made a conscious decision today to focus on our rhythm and not worry about the other boats - we got the job done," said Barney Williams, who is a 2003 World gold medallist in the men's four. "The men's pair event is going to be one of the most exciting races tomorrow because there is no clear favourite. A lot of guys have raised their game and it's very intense because of the Olympic year." Today's qualifiers will be joined by yesterday's winners Andrew Hoskins of Edmonton, Alta. and partner Joe Stankevicius of Dundas, Ont., and Scott Frandsen of Kelowna, B.C. rowing with Darren Barber of Victoria.
Women's coxless pairs (semi 1 and 2 - top three qualified): Jacqui Cook and Karen Clark won in 6:54.03, followed by Andreanne Morin of Montreal, Que. and Darcy Marquardt of Richmond, B.C, in 7:02.76, with Sabrina Kolker of West Vancouver, B.C. and Bonnie Fiala of Enderby, B.C. in the third qualifying position in their semi. In the second semi for the women's pair, Roslyn McLeod of Burlington, Ont. and Buffy Williams of St. Catharines, Ont. won in 7:04.44, followed by Rachel Dunnet of West Vancouver and Pauline Van Roessel of Bow Island, Alta in second in 7:07.60 and Krista Stewart of Oakbank, Man. with Rachelle de Jong of Regina, Sask. in the final qualifying spot. These six pairs will face-off in tomorrow's A final. "The winners of each semi today have not yet raced each other this weekend, so it will be a great match up for tomorrow's final," said women's coach Al Morrow. In last spring's National Rowing Trials, Cook and Clark won this event and went on to win the 2003 Lucerne World Cup race this past summer.
Men's lightweight coxless pair (one rep - top four qualified): Former Olympians Gavin Hassett of Victoria and Chris Davidson of Oakville, Ont. won their rep in 6:26.64, followed by up and comers Dave Stephens of Belleville, Ont. and Mike Lewis of Victoria in 6:28.49. The third (Liam Parsons and Scott Moore) and fourth (Kevin Owsianski and Ian Cooper) place finishers also qualified for tomorrow's final. They will be joined by Doug Vandor of Dewittville, Que. and Iain Brambell of Brentwood Bay, B.C.; and Jon Mandick of Victoria and Jon Beare of Toronto, Ont. in tomorrow's final.
Women's single scull (rep 1 and 2 - top two qualified): Marilyn Taylor of Calgary (7:34.97), and Zoe Hoskins of Edmonton, Alta. (7:38.88) qualified for the finals from the first rep. Anna-Marie de Zwager of Victoria convincingly won her rep in 7:35.23, followed by 2000 Olympian Kristen Wall of Victoria in 7:44.63. Today's qualifiers will face yesterday's heat winners Jane Rumball of Fredericton, N.B. and Stacey Norwood of St. John, N.B. in the Sunday morning's final.
Women's lightweight singles (rep 1 and 2 - top two qualified): Elizabeth Urbach of Vancouver (7:32.59) and Shona McLaren of Victoria (7:36.34) qualified for the A final. Gen Meredith of Ste. Anne-de-Bellevue, Que. won the second rep in 7:34.44, and Lindsay Jennerich of Victoria also qualified in 7:40.15. "Yesterday I was flustered, but today I was totally into what I wanted to accomplish," said rep winner Gen Meredith. Meredith and today's other qualifiers will face lightweight world champion Fiona Milne of Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont. and 2003 National Team member Mara Jones of Aurora, Ont. in tomorrow's race for the medals.
Men's single sculls (rep 1 and 2 - top two qualified): In a close-to-call race, Marc-Antoine Desjardins of Boucherville, Que. in 6:57.79 and Kiran Van Rijn of Toronto in 6:57.97 qualified for the finals. Adam Gant of Kelowna, B.C. won his rep in 6:58.12 and Sean Richardson of Vancouver was second to also qualify with a time of 7:00.94. These rowers will face Friday's heat winners - Dominic Seiterle of Montreal and Jeff Powell of Winnipeg, Man. - in the finals.
Men's lightweight single (rep 1 and 2 - top two qualified): Drew Scobie of St. Catharines won the first rep in 7:05.68 and Darcy Usborne in 7:10.51 also qualified for the A final. Matt McCarthy of Peterborough, Ont. finished in 7:00.33 and Ken Quelette of Boucherville, Que. also qualified in 7:03.44. Today's qualified rowers will face 2003 National Team members Jeff Bujas of Grimsby, Ont. and Matt Jensen of Innerkip, Ont. in the race for medals tomorrow morning.
Finals begin at 8 a.m. tomorrow on Victoria’s Elk Lake. Medal presentations are approximately 11 p.m.