Canada's top heavyweight men and lightweight crews are in Switzerland this week to compete at the 2002 Zurich Rowing World Cup in Lucerne (July 12 to 14).
Coming off a win at Britain's Henley Royal Regatta, the heavyweight men from Canada will be out to prove their strength at their first World Cup race of the season. The eight will face crews from Germany, Romania, Australia and the U.S., among others.
The heavyweight men's eight, coached by Mike Spracklen, includes Andrew Hoskins (Edmonton, Alta.), Kyle Hamilton (Richmond, B.C.), Adam Kreek (London, Ont.), Kevin Light (Sidney, B.C.), Jeff Powell (Winnipeg, Man.), Ben Rutledge (Victoria, B.C.), Joe Stankevicius (Dundas, Ont.), Matt Swick (St. Catharines, Ont.) and Brian Price (coxswain, Belleville, Ont.).
Although runners-up at Henley, the lightweight men's four is setting its sights on the podium in Lucerne, but will have to face Denmark, Austria and Italy before reaching this goal. A mix of new blood and experience make this Canadian crew one to watch in 2002. The lightweight men's four members are Doug Vandor (Dewittville, Que.) and Jon Mandick (Edmonton, Alta.), rowing with Olympic veterans Iain Brambell (Brentwood Bay, B.C.) and Gavin Hassett (Victoria B.C.).
The Canadian lightweight women's double of Fiona Milne (Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont.) and Shona McLaren (Victoria, B.C.) will face 2001 World Champions Janet Raduenzel and Claudia Blasberg of Germany and other strong crews from the U.S. and Poland. Milne has been in the National Team lightweight double for several years with different partners, but it’s the first time she has rowed with McLaren in international competition.
A new lightweight men's double of Matt McCarthy (Peterborough, Ont.) and Brent Borbridge (Winnipeg, Man.) are untested in international competition in this event, but have met high standards set by Canadian head coach Brian Richardson, and are ready for the Lucerne World Cup.
"The group has spent that last nine months racing against the clock and each other, they are looking forward to the opportunity to go against international competition in Lucerne," says Terry Paul, lightweight coach for Rowing Canada Aviron. "Changes have been made in the lightweight women's double, and lightweight men's four - with Shona McLaren and Doug Vandor breaking in after a working hard since September. I am also interested to test our new lightweight men's double of Matt McCarthy and Brent Borbridge, the first international crew in this event for Canada since 1998."
More than 800 athletes from 40 countries will take part in the second leg of the 2002 Zurich Rowing World Cup (the Canadian team's first World Cup of the season). According to FISA, the world rowing federation, a total of 309 boats will take to the waters of the scenic Rotsee course for the three days of competition. The high-quality line-up includes 56 2001 World Champions and 48 Olympic medallists.
The Canadian heavyweight women will make their first appearance at the next World Cup race in Munich in early August.
For more information: Jackie Skender - Rowing Canada Aviron 519.661.4234/ 519.641-9490 (cell)
Full results will be posted at: http://www.worldrowing.com