Rowing Canada Aviron (RCA) announced today the 28 athletes who will be competing in eight events at the first World Rowing Cup event of 2016. The team is highlighted by six crews, including the 2015 Bronze Medal women's eight, that have already qualified for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
The first World Rowing Cup will be held in Varese, Italy from April 15 - 17.
"Canadian rowers are heading into an intense period of competition with the Olympic and Paralympic Games quickly approaching," said Peter Cookson, High Performance Director, Rowing Canada Aviron. "These athletes have proven time and again their determination and commitment to excellence. The World Cups will be a perfect opportunity for them to demonstrate the hard work they have put in during the winter, and to work on the things that will lead to success in Rio in a few months time."
The Canadian team will then compete in Lucerne, Switzerland at World Rowing Cup II from May 27 - 29. The final World Cup will be held from June 17 - 19 in Poznan, Poland. Athletes competing at each of the regattas will be announced prior to each event.
For the women's eight, the World Rowing Cup will be the first opportunity to get back on the start line after their bronze medal performance at the 2015 World Rowing Championships.
"There's tough competition ahead for us against all crews but we are excited to race," said Ashley Brzozowicz, women's eight. "We learned a lot last season in each of our races and we're looking to continue improving through the spring. Especially in an Olympic season, it's really important for us to start strong and keep the momentum going to the Games."
Canada qualified six boats for the Olympics and one for the Paralympic Games at the World Rowing Championships in September 2015.
RCA, alongside the Canadian Olympic Committee, will announce the team of athletes competing at the Rio 2016 Olympics on Tuesday, June 28 in Toronto. RCA will also host media availabilities at training camps in Guelph and London, Ontario on July 23. Details for all media events will be released closer to the date.
The World Rowing Cup, an annual series of three international regattas held in the spring, will be streamed on the FISA website.
2016 Canadian Rowing Team to compete at World Cup 1, Varese, Italy
Women's Eight
Lisa Roman (UWO Rowing Club - Langley, BC)
Cristy Nurse (Ottawa Rowing Club - Georgetown, ON)
Natalie Mastracci (St. Catharines Rowing Club - Thorold, ON)
Susanne Grainger (London Rowing Club- London, ON)
Lauren Wilkinson (Burnaby Lake Rowing Club - North Vancouver, BC)
Ashley Brzozowicz (Peterborough Rowing Club - Omemee, ON)
Christine Roper (Ottawa Rowing Club - Montego Bay, Jamaica)
Antje von Seydlitz-Kurzbach (Ottawa Rowing Club - Smithers, BC)
Lesley Thompson-Willie (London Rowing Club - London, ON)
Women's Pair
Jennifer Martins (Don Rowing Club - Toronto, ON)
Caileigh Filmer (University of California/Victoria City Rowing Club - Victoria, BC)
Women's Single Scull
Carling Zeeman (Sudbury Rowing Club- Cambridge, ON)
Lightweight Women's Double Sculls
Lindsay Jennerich (University of Victoria - Victoria, BC)
Patricia Obee (Victoria City Rowing Club - Victoria, BC)
Men's Four
Kai Langerfeld (University of Victoria - North Vancouver, BC)
Conlin McCabe (Brockville Rowing Club - Brockville, ON)
Tim Schrijver (St. Catharines Rowing Club - Thedford, ON)
Will Crothers (Kingston Rowing Club - Kingston, ON)
Men's Quadruple Sculls
Julien Bahain (Club d'aviron de Boucherville - Angers, France)
Matthew Buie (St. Catharines Rowing Club - Duntroon, ON)
Will Dean (Brentwood Rowing Club - Kelowna, BC)
Pascal Lussier (Club d'aviron de Boucherville - St.-Jean-sur-Richelieu, QC)
Rob Gibson (Kingston Rowing Club - Kingston, ON)
*Final crew lineup to be determined prior to World Cup 1
Lightweight Men's Four
Nicolas Pratt (Kingston Rowing Club - Kingston, ON)
Maxwell Lattimer (UBC Rowing Club - Delta, BC)
Brendan Hodge (Brentwood College School/Burnaby Lake Rowing Club - Delta, BC/London, ON)
Eric Woelfl (Brock University Rowing Club/Ridley Grad Boat Club - St. Catharines, ON)
Lightweight Women's Single Scull
Kate Sauks (Victoria City Rowing Club - Owen Sound, ON)