Canada's next wave of rowers will get a chance to prove themselves at the World Under-23 Regatta this weekend (July 25 to 27) in Belgrade, Serbia and Montenegro.
"It is a strong team and will represent us proudly," says Canadian National Rowing Team head coach Brian Richardson. "They are an important part of the future of Canadian rowing."
In 2002, Canada won three medals at the Under-23 regatta - the lightweight women's double and lightweight men's pair both won gold, and the men's eight picked up a silver in Genoa, Italy. The previous year, the Canadian men's eight won gold in the Under-23 category. Several members of these past development teams have already made the move to the senior team, representing Canada at World Cups and World Championships.
"The success of the last two Under-23 teams is encouraging and will give this team a good deal of confidence to face the best at the World Under-23 Regatta. It is an important step toward their long-term goal, which is to go to the Olympic Games in the future," says Richardson.
This year's team features many new faces, but among the returning athletes are Quebec's Lysanne Lavigne and British Columbia's Lindsay Jennerich, who will attempt to defend their win in the lightweight women's double.
Watch for results and updates this weekend.
2003 Canadian Under-23 Rowing Team
Lightweight men's four (LM4-)
Kevin Owsianski - Ladysmith, B.C.
Ian Cooper - Victoria, B.C.
Greg Moore - Hamilton, Ont.
Scott Moore - Toronto, Ont.
Men's eight (M8+)
James Dunaway - Duncan, B.C.
Darryl De Leeuw - Victoria, B.C.
Malcolm Howard - Victoria, B.C.
Jamie Faris - Fort Saskatchewan, Alta.
Peter Van Rooijen - Brockville, Ont.
Craig Smallwood - Victoria Harbour, Ont.
Rob Weitemeyer - Vancouver, B.C.
Jonathan Caners - Toronto, Ont.
Ryan Howard - Rockport, Ont.
Men's pair (M2-)
Daniel Casaca - Toronto, Ont.
Jonathan Caners - Toronto, Ont.
Lightweight women's double (LW2x)
Lysanne Lavigne - Boucherville, Que.
Lindsay Jennerich - Victoria, B.C.
Women's four (W4-)
Zoe Hoskins - Edmonton, Alta.
Ashley Brzozowicz - Toronto, Ont.
Leah Ketcheson - Belleville, Ont.
Jennifer Krawec - St. Catharines, Ont.
Coaches and staff
Howard Campbell - Victoria
Doug White - Victoria
Laryssa Biesenthal - Walkerton, Ont.
Lynn Charman (U-23 manager) - Victoria