The National Team Trials regatta concluded on Friday evening in Victoria with some exciting performances in all the boat classes. See full results in the row2k results section.
"We achieved the overall objective of the regatta," said Rowing Canada Aviron High Performance Director Alan Roaf. "The closeness of the races is very encouraging because it shows the fitness and technique of the rowers is at a high level."
In the first A final of the evening, Matt Jensen of the Western Rowing Club (London) was first in 7:01.84 in the lightweight mens single; Liam Parsons of the Thunder Bay Rowing Club pulled off a second place in 7:05.07, with Jeff Bujas of St. Catharines Rowing Club right behind him in 7:05.73.
In the men's single Derek Porter, making a comeback to the National Team, took the final in 7:04.05, with Dominic Seiterle of the Delta Deas Rowing Club in 7:08.87 for second place, followed by Ridley's Aaron Kroeker in 7:13.53.
In the men's lightweight pair, Olympian Iain Brambell (Gorge, Victoria) and Jon Sasi (Burnaby Lake, Vancouver) won in 6:45.09, followed by UVic's Mike Lewis and Edmonton's Terry McKall in 6:49.37 and then Simon Gowdy of Montreal Rowing Club and Trevor Young of Hanlan Boat Club in Toronto finished in third at 6:57.35.
Recent World Cup champ Tracy Cameron, who rows for Calgary RC, won the lightweight women's single in 7:57.58; 2004 Olympian Mara Jones was second in 8:01.07, with Kingston RCs Jenny Hodgsen, a relative newcomer to National Team racing, in third in 8:09.61.
In the final exciting race for top spots, local favourites Kevin Light (VCRC) and Malcolm Howard (Brentwood) took the men's pair event in 6:33.21, UBC's Ben Rutledge and Kyle Hamilton were on pace in 6:35.73 and Brentwood's Scott Frandsen and Peter Dembicki were not far off in 6:37.88.
National Team selection activities continue throughout the weekend in Victoria; and racing now heats up for the heavyweight women in London, Ont. Adaptive trials are also taking place in London.
"The base is broader and deeper this year," said Alan Roaf. "The National Team coaches have a lot to work with."