Rowing Canada Aviron's Spring Trials - East - wrapped up today in Welland, Ontario, with ideal conditions (photo attached) for racing both Saturday and Sunday.
Trials were held in small boats for both heavy and lightweight men and women. Approximately 145 athletes in total participated over the weekend.
"We've had some encouraging performances from athletes in our system," said RCA High Performance Director, Peter Cookson. National Training Centre athletes were required to compete as well as top club and university-based athletes from the eastern regions of Canada. "There is depth developing within all our programs, and I'm also encouraged to see a number of clubs participating. However, to meet our goals as a top rowing nation, we'll need to see even more athletes rise to the challenge."
Trials such as this give the high performance technical staff information on where the athletes stand nationally, and are an important marker in the national team selection process.
"Ultimately, we want to see enough depth in our rowing community to see A and B finals that are very close and tight races, and we are working toward that,? explained Cookson.
The results are used to assist coaches in selection for National Team programs in the senior, under 23 and junior categories.
The junior age rowers (U19) were also provided with a performance ranking in three areas based on: the time trial, finals racing and matrix racing.
This regatta was hosted by RowOntario and the Welland International Flatwater Centre.
The Spring Trials - West - were held two weeks ago on Burnaby Lake, B.C. with approximately 120 athletes participating.