Excellent weather conditions made for good course conditions today at the National Rowing Championships in Welland, Ont. National Training Centre athletes managed to make their mark in the heats and reps today (see attached results).
"The results are very encouraging," said Rowing Canada's VP of High Performance, Phil Monckton. "I'm impressed with the quality of racing. Some of the top athletes have been challenged by up-and-comers and that's exciting to see."
The top finishers in the senior heats were as follows:
In the lightweight men's category, Liam Parsons of Thunder Bay, Ont and Iain Brambell of Victoria won the first heat in 6:43.57 - the fastest time of the two heats. John Haver of Saskatoon, Sask. and Simon Gowdy of Montreal, Que. won the next two heats to also advance.
Andrew Borden of Toronto, Ont., Matt Jensen of Innerkip, Ont. and Doug Vandor of Dewittville, Que. were the winners in the three heats of the lightweight men's single event.
Winners in the lightweight women's single were Sheryl Preston of North Delta, B.C., Michelle Prince of St. Catharines, Ont. and Tracy Cameron of Shubenacadie, N.S. Preston had the fastest time in this category the lightweight women's single - in 8:03.22.
Top men's pairs in the heats were Kevin Light of Sidney, B.C. and Malcolm Howard of Victoria, B.C.; Peter Dembicki of West Vancouver, B.C. and Rob Weitemeyer of Coquitlam, B.C. And Scott Frandsen of Kelowna, B.C. with Barney Williams of Salt Spring Island. Light and Howard, World bronze medallists, had the best time of 6:42.72.
Ryan Slate of Kingston, Ont. Dominic Seiterle of Montreal, Que. and Todd Keesey of Saskatoon, Sask. won the men's single heats. Three-time Olympian Derek Porter was second to Seiterle - however both advance to tomorrow's semis.
World Champions Darcy Marquardt of Richmond, B.C. and Jane Rumball of Fredericton, NB won their heat. Other heat winners in the women's pair were Sarah Bonikowsky of Orangeville, Ont. And Ashley Brzozowicz of Toronto, Ont.; and Romina Stefancic of Victoria and Sabrina Kolker of West Vancouver, B.C.
Women's single heat winners were Peggy Hyslop of Kamloops, BC; Anna-Marie de Zwager of Victoria and local favourite Buffy Williams of St. Catharines, Ont.
Tomorrow will see semis and finals.