This week, top athletes from rowing clubs across the country will compete in Canada's National Team trials (also known as Speed Orders).
In Victoria, the heavyweight men and all lightweights take to Elk Lake beginning on Thursday for this annual competition of the best rowing athletes in Canada. In London, Ontario, the heavyweight women begin their trials on Friday on Fanshawe Lake.
"In the second year of our team's four-year build-up to the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, we are thrilled that the participation in our selection regattas is so high. The total entry at the London and Victoria Speed Orders is approaching 190, the largest number ever," said Alan Roaf.
"The large entry is a reflection of our development efforts over the past few years combined with the return of some experienced rowers from the 2004 Olympic Games."
Some notable entrants in the heavyweight mens boat classes (singles and pairs) include two-time Olympic medallist Derek Porter of Victoria, and former World Champions Kyle Hamilton of Richmond, B.C., Ben Rutledge of Cranbrook, B.C. and Kevin Light of Sidney, B.C.
Lightweight male athletes include Olympian Iain Brambell of Victoria, World bronze medalist Jeff Bujas of Grimsby, Ont., and other past National Team members including Liam Parsons of Thunder Bay, Ont., Doug Vandor of Dewittville, Que. and Mike Lewis of Victoria.
Among the women, recent World Cup gold medallists Darcy Marquardt of Richmond, B.C. and Jane Rumball of Fredericton, N.B. will row in the pair event, and Olympians Romina Stefancic of Victoria, Andréanne Morin of Montreal, Que., and Sabrina Kolker of West Vancouver, B.C. are also among the entrants.
The lightweight women's single event features Mara Jones of Aurora, Ont., Melanie Kok of St. Catharines, Ont. and Tracy Cameron - three members of last year's World gold medal lightweight quad.
Also, beginning today the Junior Team trials take place in St. Catharines, and the Adaptive Team trials will be held this weekend in London, Ont. Results will be available at www.rowingcanada.org
In Victoria, National Team speed orders racing begins Thursday, June 8 at 8 am, with finals on Friday afternoon beginning at 5 pm. (Members of the media are invited to the regatta draw on Wednesday, June 7 at 3 pm at Elk Lake.)
In London, action begins at 6:30 am on Friday, June 9 through Sunday, when finals begin at 7 am.
Those rowers who are among the top performers will be considered for regattas such as the World Under-23 Championships, the Commonwealth Rowing Championships, the World University Games regatta, the Lucerne World Cup and 2006 Rowing World Championships (including adaptive).