The Island-based Canadian women’s rowing eight gave every indication that the gold medal in the Tokyo Olympics wasn’t the end of their story. It’s not so much a rebuild as a reload as the crew won the silver medal in the World Cup regatta Sunday in Lucerne, Switzerland.
That is a promising sign pointing to Paris 2024.
Three members of the Tokyo gold-medallist crew raced in Lucerne – Brentwood College-graduate Sydney Payne of Mill Bay, University of Victoria Vikes graduate Avalon Wasteneys of Campbell River and coxswain Kristen Kit. Newcomers included Alexis Cronk and Kirsten Edwards, both from the UVic Vikes, Cassidy Deane of Whistler and Morgan Rosts out of the NCAA University of Virginia Cavaliers.
Gabrielle Smith and Jessica Sevick, sixth in the women’s double at the Tokyo Olympic Games, have also joined the eight.
“It’s a different challenge trying to execute with nine people rather than two but it’s been super fun to learn from the other women and thrive off the different strengths in the boat,” said Smith, in a statement.
With the new faces comes fresh concepts and no new ideas are rejected, noted Smith: “The willingness within this crew to learn, be open-minded, and adapt together is our biggest strength.”
The re-emergent Canadian men’s eight, dormant since winning silver at the 2012 London Olympics, was sixth in Lucerne. A member of that London crew was three-time Olympian Will Crothers, who is still racing at 35 years of age and is a member of the reborn Canadian eight.
“We are humble and hungry,” he said.
“While we didn’t walk away with medals around our necks, we took steps forward and gained valuable experience. We will travel back to sa国际传媒 with our heads held high, excited to build momentum towards the world championships [in Racice, Czech Republic, Sept. 18-25].”
Trevor Jones placed fourth in the men’s single and the Canadian women’s pair of Maya Meschkuleit and Leia Till was sixth.
The Canadian rowing team is currently undergoing a move from its long-time base at Elk Lake to Quamichan Lake in North Cowichan.
