Nearly 200 of Canada's top and up and coming rowers kicked off the RBC National Rowing Championships today at Elk Lake, Victoria, B.C.
The field includes senior, under-23 and junior athletes from across Canada competing for NRC medals in their respective categories.
Although some of Canada's elite rowers - who were recently named to the World Championship team - are not competing at this event, the regatta is considered an excellent gauge of the country's rowing talent. Athletes compete in small boats - singles and pairs. Full results and times (1850m) posted: http://www.rowingcanada.org/competition/nrc/
"I think we saw some promising up and coming talent here today," said Peter Cookson, Rowing Canada Aviron High Performance Director. "And it was also nice to see veterans looking strong coming back, such as (Olympic silver medalist in the men's pair) Scott Frandsen."
Frandsen, of Kelowna, B.C., rowed today with Rob Weitemeyer of Port Coquitlam, B.C., winning their men's pair heat in 6:44.03 to advance.
Olympic medalist Mike Lewis (bronze 2008) of Victoria, B.C., also won his heat, rowing in the lightweight pair with Morgan Jarvis of Winnipeg, MB. Both Lewis and Jarvis are members of the 2010 World Championship team heading to New Zealand in late October.
Other Olympians racing today included Romina Stefancic of Victoria, winning her women's single heat in 7:43.30; and Sarah Bonikowsky (2008 Olympian) of Orangeville, Ont. winning a women's pair heat with Stephanie Morrison of Nelson, B.C.
This annual Rowing Canada Aviron regatta is hosted this year by the Victoria City Rowing Club and is sponsored by RBC Royal Bank. "It was an excellent effort by all the volunteers and officials - everyone pulled together today to create an ideal atmosphere for the rowers," said regatta chair, Brian Lamb.
Tomorrow's racing begins at 8 am, with the women's single quarter finals. Racing continues to just after two in the afternoon. Finals will be held on Sunday.