Telegraph Journal

Rothesay's Ed Winchester looks forward to Winnipeg as he works off the effects of disc surgery.

Fredericton - The big goal for Canada's rowing fraternity comes later this year with world-championship and Olympic-qualifying selections.

All the same, considering the tough times Rothesay's Ed Winchester has endured in the sport, it's not surprising the Pan American Games represent a pinnacle of sorts for the national team rower.

Why?

In 1985, he missed the Canada Summer Games in Saint John, essentially because he was too young;

In 1989, he missed the Canada Summer Games in Saskatoon because he was two weeks too old;

Last year, after feeling what he described as a pen- knife stab in his back during the practice sessions for the world championships in Germany, Winchester had career-threatening surgery to repair a herniated disc in his back.

The first obstacles were reasonably easy to overcome, although not without disappointment. The third wasn't a quick fix by any means - either physically or emotionally.

However, after a lengthy rehabilitation period, Winchester regained his strength - although the back continues to tweak when he has a "funny stroke" - to the point where he earned a berth on Canada's lightweight four rowing team this spring.

Yet, in a move of patience, Winchester opted out of that unit for the eight-man crew, so he could train without the heavy burden of a rigorous European racing season, but continue to work his back into shape as he strives for a berth on the 2000 Olympic team.

Now, with the A boat in dry dock as the top rowers re- cover from their European season, Winchester and three others will lead Canada in Winnipeg.

And the 28-year-old can't wait to represent the province and his country in the home boat, his first multi-sport event of major proportions.

"It's a big deal for me," said Winchester, a graduate of Ryerson University.

"I never got a chance to go to the Canada Games and represent New Brunswick as an athlete. I missed them in '89 by two weeks, and I was really disappointed. This is my first time at an event like this and it is pretty exciting."

Personally, the Pan Ams are gratifying for Winchester, but in the big picture, they are a stepping stone to the world championships and ultimately, the Canadian Olympic team trials, slated for Victoria, B.C. in November.

That's where his back will get the ultimate test.

Not bad for someone who went under the knife last October in a risky disc surgery - risky not from a medical standpoint, but in terms of returning to the water.

In fact, no rower with a herniated disc has ever recovered sufficiently to stroke for Canada or the United States afterward.

"For the most part, I am amazed I am doing this right now," said Winchester of his progress.

"Some days, I am great and I feel I can handle all of the volume of training. I pull as hard as the next guy and then I will take a funny stroke one day and all of the muscles feel like they have been blown apart... it's kind of erratic how it reacts to rowing," he said.

As for the prospects in Winnipeg, Winchester is fully confident his boat can pull its way to gold, given the absence of European influence.

That and the Games experience would lead to powerful and positive memories. "It has a feet like the Olympics would probably be like, only on a smaller scale. " Winchester and his team begin with heats in the 2,000- metre event on Sunday with semi-finals Tuesday and they expect to go for gold in the final on the 29th.