Rowing Canada hosted the Rowing Canada (RCA) Small Boat Trials on Quamichan Lake in Duncan, B.C. this past weekend May 6th through 8th, with current and former UBC Thunderbirds making their presence felt on the water. The event opens the door to opportunities for university rowers to make the jump to U23 National and Senior National Teams where crews will be formed for World Cup, U23 and Senior World Championships later this summer.
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Thunderbirds, past and present, had outstanding weekend's with both women's and men's results.
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Highlight Performances:
- Women's pair was won by alumna and former Thunderbird Athletic council president, Kristina Walker rowing with Tokyo Olympic gold medalist Avalon Wasteneys, in third was alumnae Jessica Sevick and Kasia Gruchalla-Wesierski, in 7th overall and 1st place U23 was Elli Sousa and Sally Jones.
- Recent grad Claire Brillon was 3rd overall in Women's 1x and Ehren Patterson was 3rd Overall and 2ndU23 was Lightweight 1x
- Joel Cullen and Julian Black placed 3rd Overall behind two senior national team pairs and were the 1stU23s. Axel Ewashko and Josh Kemper finished 4th overall and were the 2nd U23.
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"Despite recently coming off exams UBC athletes performed at or above national standards and again demonstrated their ability to the add to the National Team program." said UBC Women's Head Coach
Craig Pond in recapping the standout performances. "We are looking forward to seeing how these athletes develop through the summer as the Thunderbirds move out onto the international stage."Â
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With the small boat trials and exams complete, both the men's and women's teams will be forming crews for a campaign to race at the famedÂ
Henley Royal Regatta at the end of June.
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