Canadian rowers bring home U-23 gold
These rowers are far too young to remember The Who. Regardless, the kids are alright.
The future looks promising for the Elk Lake-based national team, as Canadian boats won two gold medals at the U-23 world championships over the weekend in Poznan, Poland.
Leading the assault was the golden Canadian women’s eight of Avalon Wasteneys of the University of Victoria, Sydney Payne from Brentwood College, Ivy Elling Quaintance of Victoria City, Isabel Ruby-Hill, Stephanie Grauer, Kendra Wells, Madison Mailey, Morgan Rosts and coxswain Laura Court.
Campbell River’s Wasteneys is a discovery, beating out hundreds of hopefuls to be named 2017 RBC Training Ground regional champion, and now looks to be well on her way for both UVic and the national team.
Meanwhile, it was Payne’s second world U-23 title in as many years and felt twice as satisfying.
“The race was fantastic. We stayed calm and collected and kept our focus internal,” said the Brentwood College graduate, who went on to row in the NCAA Pac-12 at Cal-Berkeley.
“We stayed with our race plan and everything went as well as it could have,” added Payne, in a statement.
“To repeat as champions means more than words can describe.”
Trevor Jones of Peterborough, Ont., delivered the other gold in the men’s single sculls to defend his world title from 2017.
The Canadian men’s eight showed spark with a credible fifth-place finish. The crew included Travis Gronsdahl of Victoria City and Brentwood College pullers Brett Vilk and Elliott Rogers with Skylar Presch of the UVic Vikes coxing.
The women’s quad was also fifth.
“I’m proud of this team and their commitment to race,” said former Olympian Adam Parfitt of Victoria, the Rowing Canada director of coach and athlete pathways.
“Every crew had a challenge in front of them, approached it professionally, and learned from the process. It’s thrilling to have the two world championship repeats in the men’s single and women’s eight. Those were outstanding performances and set the standard for us in Canada.”