From left to right, Brandi Smith, Andrew Lamont, Nia Perron and Claudia Blandford of the Winnipeg Rowing Club at the 108th NWIRA Championship Regatta in Duluth, MN. (HANDOUT)
The Winnipeg Rowing Club put on a stellar performance at the 108th NWIRA Championship Regatta in Duluth, Minnesota last week.
More than 350 athletes from ten rowing clubs across Canada and the U.S. gathered from August 19-20 for the event.
Despite windy conditions on Lake Superior, Winnipeg performed well and placed third overall in total club points.
Seven gold medals were won by local athletes in their respective events:
Open Women’s Single — Kaitlin Rempel
Open Men’s Single — Paul Thiessen
Lightweight Women’s Single Dash — Brandi Smith
Open Women’s Double — Nia Perron, Claudia Blandford
Mixed Masters’ Double — Brandi Smith, Andrew Lamont
Open Women’s Quad — Nia Perron, Claudia Blandford, Kaitlin Rempel, Natasha Tersigni
Junior B Men’s Quad — Maxwell Harley, Ben Dearing, Anselm Ragetli, Joshua Ilse
On the second day of competition, rowers took a moment to pause and reflect on NWIRA members who recently passed away. Winnipeg’s legendary sculler Theo Dubois was among the honoured. A longtime competitor of the NorthWest circuit, from 1931 to 1955 Theo acquired more trophies at the NorthWest Regatta than any other oarsman. Winnipeg rowers Andrew Lamont and Jeff Reitberger took part in the on-the-water procession, rowing in their double to honour Theo.
