The Canadian women's pair of Jane Rumball of Fredericton, N.B. and Darcy Marquardt of Richmond, B.C. won again today at Germany's Huegelregatta in a time of 7:19.93; they finished far ahead of the Danish pair who were second in 7:32.13. A German pair and two Ukrainian pairs followed.
Canada's women's quad - Anna-Marie De Zwager of Victoria, B.C., Krista Guloien of Port Moody, B.C, Zoë Hoskins of Edmonton, Alta., Peggy Hyslop of Kamloops, B.C. - was a close second in a race with the Ukrainian women who finished first in 6:29.35. Canada's time was 6:30.74.
Germany's top women's eights took first (6:05.05) and second (6:08.21) in that event, with Canada in third in 6:10.45.
"The eight showed much improvement today, especially in the first 1000 metres (of the 2000m course)," said Canadian women's coach Carsten Hassing. "I was also impressed with the quad, and the pair (2006 World Champions) was expected to win. Overall, it was an excellent learning experience and there was some fast racing here in Essen in many of the events." Twenty-one countries participated in the regatta this year.
The women's eight consists of Lesley Thompson-Willie of London, Ont., Buffy Williams of St. Catharines, Ont., Heather Mandoli of Kelowna, B.C., Ashley Brzozowicz of Toronto, Ont., Kaylan Vander Schilden of Victoria, B.C., Sabrina Kolker of West Vancouver, B.C., Romina Stefancic of Victoria, B.C., Katie Reynolds of St. John, N.B., and Sarah Bonikowsky of Orangeville, Ont.
This 94th International Huegelregatta is held every second year, with the event taking place in Duisburg in even years. Held over two days with heats and finals on both days, the Huegelregatta is seen as a testing ground for coaches and crews preparing for the Rowing World Cup series.
The Canadian women will now train in Slovenia and then head to the first World Cup in Linz, Austria (June 1 to 3), joining up with the rest of the Canadian Rowing Team.