Heavyweight women's trials:
LONDON, ON: Stacey Norwood of St. John, N.B. won the women's single today in 7:50.22, and Marilyn Taylor was a close second in 7:53.00. "It was one of the best races I've had," said Norwood.
"Stacey and I stayed together in front until the last 250 metres when she made her move ahead - it was a goal to separate ourselves from the other scullers," said Taylor of Calgary, Alta. (results below). In the women's pair, Rachelle deJong of Regina, Sask. and Bonnie Fiala of Enderby, B.C. won in 7:32.38. Second was Laura Middleton of Toronto, Ont. rowing with Krista Stewart of Winnipeg, Man. in 7:37.20, followed by Emily Boyle of Port Elgin, Ont. with Zoe Hoskins of Edmonton, Alta. in 7:39.20.
This weekend's trials were a follow-up to the heavyweight women's senior trials held earlier this month. Specific crews for various summer regattas, including the PanAms, will be named this week.
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HM, LM, LW Trials: Rowers took advantage of great water conditions to show their speed and skill on Elk Lake in Victoria today for the finals of the Canadian National Rowing Trials (heavyweight men, lightweight men and lightweight women.)
"It was an excellent regatta, in these racing conditions, everyone got a chance to show their stuff," said Canadian Head Coach Brian Richardson.
In the men's pair, the combination of Barney Williams of Salt Spring Island, B.C. and Jake Wetzel of Saskatoon, Sask. took the final race in 6:20.25. They were followed by 2002 medallists Adam Kreek of London, Ont. and Jeff Powell of Winnipeg, Man. in 6:24.10, and, in third, Kevin Light of Sidney, B.C. and Cameron Baerg of Saskatoon, Sask. in 6:24.98. (See below for full A final results).
Williams and Wetzel - not members of the 2002 National Team - proved that the heavyweight men’s sweep program has more depth this year. "Barney Williams and Jake Wetzel have added to the program, it's very positive," said men’s coach Mike Spracklen. "It means that this year we will have a men's eight and be able to add a men's four." Spracklen will leave the eight almost as it was last year - with Dave Calder of Victoria (who did not race this weekend due to injury) replacing 2002 member Matt Swick.
Williams and Wetzel will row in the men's four with Cam Baerg and Tom Herschmiller. "The four will be very fast - it's exciting," said Spracklen. "The athletes are stronger and we just have to find the right order in the boat to create the right mix."
The lightweight men's pair event saw Gavin Hassett of Victoria, B.C., and Jon Mandick of Edmonton, Alta., who had a very strong weekend of racing, win in 6:35.02 followed closely by Doug Vandor of Dewittville, Que. and Jon Beare of Toronto, Ont. in 6:36.50 and then National Team veteren Chris Davidson of Oakville, Ont. rowing with Mike Lewis of Victoria, B.C. in 6:43.70. The lightweight men’s four for the 2003 season has not yet been named.
Fiona Milne of Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont., who dominated the lightweight women's event at this regatta, won today's final in 7:32.91, followed by Toronto's Mara Jones in 7:40.55, Victoria's Shona McLaren in 7:42.42, then Gen Meredith of Ste. Anne-de-Bellevue, Que., in 7:43.95, Rachel Starr of Montreal in 7:45.11 and Katya Herman of St. Catharines, Ont. in 7:52.69.
Jeff Bujas of St. Catharines, Ont. won the lightweight men's single in 7:08.58, followed by Matt McCarthy of Peterborough, Ont. in 7:10.40 and Matt Jensen of London, Ont. in 7:12.70. (full results below)
Former Olympic medallist (men’s eight) Darren Barber of Vancouver, B.C. - back in national action after a long absence - won the men's single in 6:50.57 followed by Tom Herschmiller of Comox, B.C. in 6:51.29 and Ryan Slate of Kingston, Ont. in 6:59.19.