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(Left to right): The UVic women’s eight stern four: Mikaela Holthuis, Nicole Cusack, Margaret Hemphill and Danica Ariano with coxswain Sofie Hof, celebrating the gold medal win in Canadian University Rowing Championship in Burnaby. (photo courtesy of the Vernon Rowing and Dragon Boat Club)
By Liam Verster
Canadian University Championships

Former Vernon rowers part of championship team at national event

Nov 17, 2023 | 10:45 AM

Two alumnae of Vernon Rowing and Dragon Boat Club assisted in a team win at the 2023 Canadian University Rowing Championships.

Elena Masyte and Danica Ariano were part of the University of Victoria women’s team that won the championship banner at the event held at Burnaby Lake.

The two day event held Nov. 11 and 12 started with Masyte and her crewmates clinching a spot in the A final by recording the second fastest time in the lightweight women’s coxed four event.

In the final 2000 metre sprint race, Masyte and the crew from UVic went all out to finish a strong second behind Queen’s University to earn valuable team points toward the banner.

Ariano and the UVic women’s eight team placed first in the time trial Saturday, crossing the line three seconds ahead of rivals from the University of British Columbia.

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UVic, UBC and Queen’s were all within three points of each other for the top of the podium heading into the women’s eight final Sunday.

The race was tight, with all three boats side-by-side until the UVIc crew started to edge ahead of the competition mid-way through the course, leading to a win by almost a full boat length.

With the finishes by the crews featuring former Vernon rowers, UVic was able to secure the championship banner, a prestigious prize in Canadian University rowing.

It was the second consecutive championship win for the 14-member UVic women’s team.

by Liam Verster
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