Rowing Canada Kicks Off 2007 Season - An Experienced Team Heading to World Cup

Rowing Canada Aviron (RCA) today announced the crews that will compete in the World Cup at Linz - Ottensheim, Austria from June 1 to June 3, 2007.

"I believe we have a very competitive team this year. The coaches and athletes have done a great job over the winter and are now ready kick off the international racing season," said Phil Monckton, RCA’s VP High Performance. "This World Cup is very important as it allows us evaluate our crews as we prepare for the Olympic qualification regatta (late this summer)."

The World Cup team includes some high-profile veterans in Derek Porter, Lesley Thompson-Willie, Buffy Williams, Barney Williams and Jake Wetzel - all Olympic medalists. Also 2006 World Champions in the women's pair - Jane Rumball and Darcy Marquardt - return in the same event for the Linz regatta.

Many of the crews have a mix of experience and younger athletes in combinations that will be tested for the first time. "We have a nice blend of returning veterans and young talent," said Monckton. "I am particularly pleased that we are fielding sculling (double, quads) crews in the heavyweight events."

The heavyweight women's team will participate in an international regatta in Essen, Germany (the 94th International Huegel Regatta) later this month to help prepare for the first World Cup. The other groups will depart from Canada in late May.

This kicks off a busy rowing season for the Canadian National Team program, which includes World Cups; Pan Am Games; Under 23 and Junior Worlds and eventually the Olympic Qualifier in Munich, Germany - August 26 to Sept. 2.

2007 Linz World Cup - Canadian Athletes and Coaches

 

Women's pair (W2-): Jane Rumball of Fredericton, N.B. and Darcy Marquardt of Richmond, B.C.

Women's eight (W8+): Lesley Thompson-Willie of London, Ont., Buffy Williams of St. Catharines, Ont., Heather Mandoli of Kelowna, B.C., Ashley Brzozowicz of Toronto, Ont., Kaylan Vander Schilden of Victoria, B.C., Sabrina Kolker of West Vancouver, B.C., Romina Stefancic of Victoria, B.C., Katie Reynolds of St. John, N.B., Sarah Bonikowsky of Orangeville, Ont.

Women's quad (W4x): Anna-Marie De Zwager of Victoria, Krista Guloien of Port Moody, B.C, Zoë Hoskins of Edmonton, Alta., Peggy Hyslop of Kamloops, B.C.

Lightweight men's four (LM4-): Liam Parsons of Thunder Bay, Ont., Mike Lewis of Victoria, Jon Beare of Toronto, Iain Brambell of Victoria, B.C.

Lightweight men's pair (LM2-): Terry McKall of Edmonton, Alta., John Sasi of North Delta, B.C.

Lightweight men's double (LM2x): Doug Vandor of Dewittville, Que, Matt Jensen of Innerkip, Ont.

Lightweight women's double (LW2x): Lindsay Jennerich of Victoria, Tracy Cameron of Shubenacadie, N.S.

Men's eight (M8+): Kyle Hamilton of Richmond, B.C., Andrew Byrnes of Toronto, Ont., Peter Dembicki of West Vancouver, B.C, Kevin Light of Sidney, B.C., Rob Weitemeyer of Coquitlam, B.C., Adam Kreek of London, Ont., Dominic Seiterle of Victoria, Malcolm Howard of Victoria, Steve Cheng of Toronto, Ont.

Men's quad (M4x): Gabe Bergen of 100 Mile House, B.C., Jamie Faris of Fort Saskatchewan, Steve Van Knotsenburg of Beamsville, Ont., Chris Jarvis of St. Catharines, Ont.

Men's double (M2x): Derek Porter of Victoria and Jake Wetzel of Saskatoon, Sask.

Men's pair (M2-): Barney Williams of Saltspring Island, B.C. and Scott Frandsen of Kelowna, B.C.

Coaches - Mike Spracklen (Victoria), Bent Jensen (Victoria), Laryssa Biesenthal (Victoria), Carsten Hassing (London), Terry Paul (Victoria) and Howie Campbell (Victoria).

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