Excellent conditions graced the final day of the Women's National Team Trials in London, Ontario, as a mix of new talent and National Team veterans raced for spots in the teams training camp.
"We were thrilled with the competitiveness of all the divisions, and the progress made in the sculling events (singles)," said Alan Roaf, Rowing Canada's High Performance Director. "There's some great talent coming through the system and we feel that we have some excellent athletes to help build a successful program leading up to the 2008 Olympics."
In the first race of the day, 2004 Olympian Anna-Marie de Zwager, 28, of Victoria, B.C. won the heavyweight women's single in 7:42.10, followed by long-time London resident Jane Rumball, originally from Fredericton, N.B., in 7:43.40 and Rachelle de Jong of Regina, Sask. in 7:45.90. Rounding out the top six were Darcy Marquardt of Richmond, B.C. in fourth, followed by Romina Stefancic of Victoria, who was a Junior champion for Slovenia, and Kara Farquharson of Mississauga, Ont., a former Junior World bronze medallist in the single.
In the lightweight women's singles, Liz Urbach of Vancouver, B.C. convincingly won the final in this event in 7:47.40, with Tracy Cameron of Calgary, Alta. (7:52.30) edging out Olympian Mara Jones, who was third in 7:53.40.
"It felt great out there today," said 28-year-old Urbach, who rows for UBC. "I was very pleased with my race, and we couldn't have asked for better conditions."
Sheryl Preston of White Rock, B.C., who rowed with Urbach in the lightweight quad that won a World silver last year, was fourth followed by Melanie Kok of St. Catharines, Ont. and Jennifer Neufeld of Winnipeg, Man.
The women in the Under-23 category rowed in pairs, and Melanie Abbott and Larissa Lagzdins - representing Brock University in St. Catharines, Ont. - took top spot in 7:39.90
Womens National Team Trials Fanshawe Lake, London, ON (2000 metres)
Heavyweight Women's Singles Final A
Anna-Marie de Zwager 7:42.10
Jane Rumball 7:43.40
Rachelle de Jong 7:45.90
Darcy Marquardt 7:55.60
Romina Stefancic 8:01.00
Kara Farquharson 8:04.40
Lightweight Women's Singles Final A
Liz Urbach 7:47.40
Tracy Cameron 7:52.30
Mara Jones 7:53.40
Sheryl Preston 7:57.90
Melanie Kok 7:58.40
Jen Neufeld 7:58.90
Under 23 Pairs Final A
Melanie Abbott/Larissa Lagzdins 7:39.50
Courtney MacIntosh/Leah Stone 7:48.50
Jeanne Harfield/Lauren Wells 7:49.60
Stephanie Connolly/ Stephanie Morrison 7:50.20
Kerry Maher/Kristin Tryon 7:50.90
Natalia Burchynsky/ Emily Silver 8:11.10
Full results: http://www.rowingcanada.org/en/news/index.html
The following athletes have been invited to participate in further selection to be considered for senior World Cup, and senior and Under-23 World Championship crews.
Lightweights (senior and U23)
Liz Urbach, Tracy Cameron, Mara Jones, Sheryl Preston, Melanie Kok, Jen Neufeld, Amber Cuthbertson, Gwen McLennan, Catherine Gariepy, Jenny Hogsden
Heavyweights (senior and U23)
Anna-Marie de Zwager, Jane Rumball, Rachelle de Jong, Darcy Marquardt, Romina Stefancic, Kara Farquharson, Roslyn McLeod, Krista Stewart, Heather Mandoli, Melanie Abbott, Larissa Lagzdins, Courtney MacIntosh, Leah Stone, Jeanne Harfield, Lauren Wells, Stephanie Connolly, Stephanie Morrison, Kerry Maher, Kristin Tryon, Emma Darling, Katrina Wechselberger