VICTORIA, B.C. – The University of Victoria Vikes men's rowing team is looking to this weekend's Elk Lake regatta as a yardstick for where the program's strengths lie as the Vikes head into the Spring racing season.
FULL SCHEDULE /
FULL ROSTER
In its 39
th season, the Elk Lake Spring Regatta is shaping up to host a powerful small boat contingent on the men's side as many of Rowing Canada's athletes will be competing in the singles and doubles events.
“This regatta is really exciting from a development perspective,” said head coach of the UVic Vikes men's rowing team,
Howie Campbell. “It's a great opportunity to see where we're at as we have a stronger and stronger field of competitors every year.”
Two of UVic's top rowers,
Will O'Connell (Victoria, BC) and
Alex Walker (Victoria, BC), will be racing in the open singles alongside fellow Vike
Connor McGuigan (Victoria, BC).
Competing in the doubles event are second-year
Gareth Lindstrom (Vancouver, B.C.) and freshman
Christopher Marshall (Brockville, ON) while six-foot-six sophomore
Sean Decter (Victoria, B.C.) is teaming up with first-year
Curtis Champion (Victoria, BC). Rounding out the Vikes contingent in the doubles are
Sam Horn (North Vancouver, B.C.) and
Mark Lillis (Hamilton, ON).
Hosting UBC's men's eights on Sunday, UVic's boat will consist of Lindstrom, O'Connell, Decter, Marshall, Walker, Horn, McGuigan and bowman
Jonathan Chandler (Brentwood Bay, BC).
“We just had a reading break camp where we've put together a preliminary crew but as we get deeper into the season we'll do a bit of tweaking,” said Campbell.
The two-day Elk Lake regatta runs Mar. 2-3 and for more information regarding scheduling and results, please visit
www.govikesgo.com/regatta.
