Rowing's team for the 2003 Pan American Games was announced today. The squad includes 13 athletes and two coaches and will compete at Presa del Rincón in Northern Dominican Republic.
"Competition - especially from the U.S. - is strong and this is an excellent racing opportunity," said coach and team leader Laryssa Biesenthal. A two-time Olympian and 1999 Pan Am gold medallist, Biesenthal will share coaching responsibilities with Victoria's Tony Carr.
"It's a good part of the development for the athletes that are new to a multi-sport games. For the veterans, they will bring their experience of racing at a games and on how to focus on their events, while enjoying the Pan Am atmosphere," said Biesenthal.
The team includes three past Olympians - Iain Brambell, Chris Davidson and Fiona Milne. Gen Meredith was a spare at the 2000 Olympics, and has been one of the top lightweight women for several years.
Milne, the top Canadian lightweight female in the single, and Stacey Norwood, who will row at the British Henley Royal early next month, will also row in singles events in their weight classes at the Pan Ams.
Since this Pan Am team is small by Canadian rowing standards, many of the rowers will double up in events - giving them a chance at more than a single medal each. The men's eight event will see a combination heavy- and lightweight crew compete for Canada at this games.
At the 1999 Pan Am Games in Winnipeg (with a larger contingent), Canada won 10 medals in rowing.
The following have been named to the 2003 Pan American Games rowing team:
Heavyweight men:
Neil Armour - West Vancouver, B.C.
David Kay - Peterborough, Ont
Geoff Hodgson - Whitehorse, Yukon
Kevin Burt - Ottawa, Ont.
Coxswain: Dallas Smith
Lightweight women:
Gen Meredith - Ste. Anne-de-Bellevue, Que.
Fiona Milne - Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont.
Lightweight men:
Iain Brambell - Brentwood Bay, B.C.
Mike Simonson - Calgary, Alta.
Mike Lewis - Victoria, B.C.
Chris Davidson - Oakville, Ont.
Heavyweight women:
Stacey Norwood - St. John, N.B.
Marilyn Taylor - Calgary, Alta.
Coaches:
Tony Carr - Victoria, B.C.
Laryssa Biesenthal - Walkerton, Ont. (TEAM LEADER)
Les athlètes suivants ont été désignés pour faire partie de l'équipe d'aviron qui participera aux Jeux panaméricains 2003 :
Poids lourds chez les hommes :
Neil Armour - Vancouver Ouest, C.-B.,
David Kay - Peterborough, Ont.
Geoff Hodgson - Yukon
Kevin Burt - Ottawa, Ont.
Barreur : Dallas Smith
Poids légers, chez les femmes :
Gen Meredith - Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, Qué.
Fiona Milne - Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont.
Poids légers, chez les hommes :
Iain Brambell - Brentwood Bay, C.-B.
Mike Simonson - Calgary, Alb.
Mike Lewis - Victoria, C.-B.
Chris Davidson - Oakville, Ont.
Poids légers, chez les femmes :
Stacey Norwood - St-Jean, N.B.
Marilyn Taylor - Calgary, Alb.
Entraîneurs :
Tony Carr - Victoria, C.-B.
Laryssa Biesenthal - Walkerton, Ont. (CHEF D'ÉQUIPE)