FORT LANGLEY, BC - The UVic Vikes men's and women's rowing programs once again proved they are the best in the west after sweeping the team titles at the 2nd Western Canadian Rowing Championships.

The Vikes men successfully defended their title after dominating the heavyweight events. The Vikes scored victories in the four, pair and single, which gave them enough of an edge to defeat the UBC Thunderbirds 18-15 in the scoring totals.

Meanwhile, the women's team avenged last year's loss to their UBC rivals with a comfortable 20-14 point total victory. The Vikes won four of the six events, sweeping the lightweight races and also capturing a win in the four.

This was the second year the Western Canadian Rowing Championship took place on the Bedford Channel in Fort Langley. This year's regatta featured varsity and novice teams from UVic, UBC, Fraser Valley, Simon Fraser, Trinity Western, Alberta, Manitoba and Winnipeg.

The Vikes crews return to the lake next weekend. On Saturday the Vikes will compete in the Head or the Gorge on the Gorge Waterway, and Sunday will race in the Head of the Elk at Elk Lake.