A crucial three-regatta European preparatory set concludes for the Island-based Canadian rowing team this weekend as 44 athletes in 13 crews will compete at World Cup III in Lucerne, Switzerland. The tour began last month at World Cup II in Varese, Italy, and continued through last weekend at the Royal Henley Regatta on the Thames.
It is to prepare the Canadian pullers for the world championships Sept. 3-10 in Belgrade, Serbia, which is the main qualifier for the 2024 Paris Olympics. The top five to 11 finishing boats in each event in Belgrade will advance to Paris, which will fill out most of the field for the Games.
“World Cup III [nearly 700 rowers representing 52 nations will be in Lucerne] presents another opportunity for our athletes to test their mettle against elite crews on the international stage,” Rowing sa国际传媒 director of high performance Adam Parfitt of Sidney said in a statement. “Over the past five weeks, our athletes and coaches have garnered invaluable experience and we eagerly anticipate a resounding finish to this incredible journey over the weekend.
“With the world championships now just two months away, this milestone serves as a pivotal point on our pathway.”
The defending Olympic champion Canadian women’s eight comes into Lucerne after having won the prestigious Remenham Challenge Cup last weekend at Henley.
“We’re looking to take all the good we have learned from Henley to create an even better Lucerne World Cup for our crew,” said Canadian eights rower Kirsten Edwards, out of the University of Victoria Vikes program.
Another Canadian highlight at Henley was Jill Moffatt and Jenny Casson winning the women’s double Stonor Challenge Trophy.
The Canadian national team was based on Elk Lake for more than four decades, enjoying considerable Olympic success, before moving to Quamichan Lake in North Cowichan following the last Olympics in Tokyo.
The Canadian team will return from Lucerne to Quamichan Lake for the final training block heading into the worlds.
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