The Telegraph Journal and Evening Times Globe Saint John, N.B. Thursday, August 22, 1985

When they start passing out the rowing medals Friday night five teams are expected to be weighted down with more than their share of the precious souvenirs.

British Columbia will be in all 13 finals and rowing team spokesman Tony Carr said that barring any accidents, the team should walk away with 12 or 13 medals.

"We are very strong overall. We have very few weaknesses, and if they don't win a medal, they'll be close in every one of the 13 races. I don't think any other province can do that. They are strong in some areas."

Ontario is strong in men's and women's sweeps, Quebec in women's sculling, New Brunswick in three or four boats, Nova Scotia in sculling and Alberta in the eights, he said.

Carr said the best chances for B.C. gold lie with the women's quads and double sculls and the men's single sculls and eights.

"It will be more hotly contested in other events, but we're not writing off the possibility of other gold medals."

Carr said he expected few runaway races.

"There are going to be very close races and many exciting finishes. The coin will flip in a few directions."

Carr said the B.C. team sees mostly Western and Central competition and he has been surprised by the strength of the New Brunswick squad.

"It's been some years since we've had competitions with a lot of teams from the Atlantic provinces. It's a pleasant surprise to see the sport growing in the East. It makes a lot of headaches for us but it is the right kind of headaches."

Ontario will have 12 boats in the finals and coach Mike Purcer expects the team to win eight to 10 medals.

"The women's sweep teams, fours and eights, are our best chance for gold medals. They're the group that's been together the longest, all summer. Our other teams have just been together since last week."

Purcer said there were a few surprises at the rowing competition.

"It usually comes down to a numbers game with Ontario and B.C. This year there are other good teams. Basically, B.C. is our biggest competition. New Brunswick has a few crews that we have to beat and Alberta beat us in the men's eight."

Lauren Brown, manager of the Alberta team that will compete in 10 finals, said she expects eight metals.