Canada's top rowers and up-and-comers showed the depth of the country's rowing program today at the conclusion of the National Rowing Championships in Welland, Ont. (Nov. 5 to 7).
"We have a set race plan," said Kevin Light, a national team veteran who was part of two World Championship men's eights and picked up bronze at this year's Worlds (with Howard). "We keep learning together, but I think this is the best we've rowed together at a regatta so far."
Light and Howard were first in 6:42.86; Scott Frandsen and Barney Williams - both 2004 Olympians in different events - were second in 6:47.15; local favourites Chris Jarvis of St. Catharines rowing with Steve VanKnotsenburg of Beamsville, Ont. were third in 6:50.59.
The women's pair also saw World Championship medalists lead the pack - Darcy Marquardt of Richmond, B.C. and Jane Rumball of Fredericton, N.B., who won the Worlds in this same event, also won today.
"This regatta gave us the opportunity to try different things - tactics and strategies that we wanted to try," said Rumball, who is based in London, Ont. "However the goal is the same."
Marquardt agreed: "Our approach is the same - whether it's nationally or internationally. We want to win."
Marquardt and Rumball were first in 7:24.57 followed by Sarah Bonikowsky of Orangeville, Ont. and Ashley Brzozowicz of Toronto, Ont. second in 7:28.61 and in third, Romina Stefancic of Victoria and Sabrina Kolker of West Vancouver, B.C. in 7:29.91.
In the women's single, Anna-Marie de Zwager of Victoria won in 7:51.40, Buffy Williams was second in 7:51.54 and Rachelle de Jong of Regina, Sask. in 8:04.28
Williams, a St. Catharines native, is coming back after a "break" which included having a son earlier this year. "I felt alive today - to come back and have a close race like that is exciting. I'll be pushing myself - I prefer to have a gold in my hand right now. I'm looking forward to see how I improve and progress over the winter. My time on the water is my time, and then it's exciting to get home to (my son) Tavin."
This regatta was a true family affair: Williams' husband, Barney, was second in the men's pair with Scott Frandsen.
In the lightweight men's pair, Liam Parsons of Thunder Bay, Ont and Iain Brambell of Victoria were first in 6:45.81; Mike Lewis of Victoria and Jon Beare were third in 6:49.87; Paul Amesbury and Adam Reynolds, both of Ottawa, were third in 6:51.71.
"We really established a strong rhythm today," said Parsons. "It was not the greatest start, but Iain and I were pleased with our race."
Tracy Cameron of Shubenacadie, N.S. won the lightweight women's single in 8:03.73, followed by Sheryl Preston of North Delta, B.C. in 8:05.82 and in third - Michelle Prince of St. Catharines, Ont. in 8:08.17.
"My goal at this regatta was just to do my best and have fun with it," said Preston, "but there's a lot more depth than I thought."
In a close race, Dominic Seiterle of Montreal (7:11.17) just edged out three-time Olympian Derek Porter who crossed the line in 7:11.31. Adam Kreek, who is a past member of the Canadian men's eight, crossed the line in third in 7:19.49.
In the lightweight men's single, Cam Sylvester of Caledon, Ont. was first in 7:21.15; Doug Vandor of Dewittville, Que. was second in 7:22.06 and Tim Colson of London, Ont. was third in 7:25.23.
Sylvester and Colson rowed for Canada's Under-23 team this year, while Vandor has been part of National Team program for several years.
The athletes that placed in key events today shared in a $13,000 purse a first for a national regatta in Canada.
See full results in row2k's results section.