This weekend the Canadian Women’s 8+ rowing team takes to the water for a chance at a gold medal.
Among the women competing is Sydney Payne who is a 2015 graduate of Brentwood School. She also competed on the 2021 Olympic Women’s 8+ team that won gold in Tokyo.
Communications Manager for Rowing Canada Susanne Werely was part of the team that won gold in Tokyo, and she says that being a previous competitor gives her a unique perspective on the event.
“I almost get so stressed because I know what it feels like to be where they are, but watching is amazing and I love that I can support because I know what that feels like. Sometimes I still get nervous on this end of things.”
She adds the team is feeling good after qualifying for the final in the repechage.
“So it’s another opportunity to race down the Olympic course when you go through the Rep it’s really easy to sometimes look at it like a detriment, but I think this group’s done a really good job of using it to maybe get the shakes out, use it as a learning experience and really set them up for a great position in the final.”
Rowing Canada’s home base is on the island in the Cowichan Valley where they have a permanent two-kilometre practice course on Quamichan Lake.
“It’s a really special place and I think what makes it even more special is that we feel integrated with the community,” said Werely.
You can catch the women’s race for gold starting at 1:50 am on Saturday.
