Canada Selects Crews for World Champs

The four-year Olympic cycle is off to a good start, according to Canadian National team head coach Brian Richardson, as crews for this month’s FISA World Rowing Championships were announced yesterday (Tuesday).

The 36-strong team sees the return of seven Sydney Olympians – Henry Hering, Lawrence Varga, Matt Swick, Fiona Milne, Gavin Hassett, Chris Davidson and Iain Brambell.

Seven crews form this years World Championship squad – the men’s eight, lightweight men’s eight, women’s eight, women’s coxless pair, men’s single sculls, women’s lightweight double and men’s lightweight coxless four.

Head coach Brian Richardson was pleased with the development of his team since the beginning of the year.

“We have picked a team that we expect will be very competitive,” he said. “It’s pleasing to see such a large team going to the Worlds – earlier in the year we wouldn’t have predicted this, but the athletes have worked very hard to meet the standards.”

The crews were selected in a time trial at Rowing Canada Aviron’s training centres in Victoria B.C. and London Ontario.

They will be arriving in Sarnen, Switzerland for a week-long training camp, before competing in the FISA World Rowing Championships in ten days time.

The Championships run from August 19 – 26, in Lucerne, Switzerland. Heats begin on August 19, with finals on August 25 and 26.

2001 World Rowing Championship team, Canada:
M 8+:
Kevin Light, Henry Hering, Andrew Hoskins, Lawrence Varga, Tom Herschmiller, Joe Stankevicius, Jeff Powell, Matt Swick, Brian Price (c). Coach: Mike Spracklen

LM8+:
Doug Vandor, Jon Beare, Michael Simonson, Erik Oinonen, Matt McCarthy, Brent Borbridge, Pat Cody, Rob Park, Rob Henson (c). Coach: Joe Dowd

W8+:
Marilyn Taylor, Nicole Borges, Pauline Van Roessel, Jacqui Cook, Karen Clark, Kristen Wall, Andréanne Morin, Bonnie Fiala, Sarah Pape (c). Coach: Al Morrow

W2-:
Karen Clark, Jacqui Cook

M1x:
Todd Hallett

LW2x:
Fiona Milne, Gen Meredith. Coach: Terry Paul

LM4-:
Gavin Hassett, Jonathon Mandick, Chris Davidson, Iain Brambell. Coach: Terry Paul