Cochrane rower Brielle Thorsen is ready to rule the regatta when she takes to the water later this month for the 2017 Canada Summer Games.
“I’m pretty excited for it,” said the 18-year-old Team Alberta athlete. “I’m definitely nervous – I’m nervous to be in the single because it’s just me representing my province. It’s a little nerve-racking being put out there on my own.
“I’ll try to be really calm at the start.”
Thorsen, a former Cochrane High School student, spent the last year at Queen’s University in engineering studies and as a proud member of the varsity rowing squad.
After school finished this spring, Thorsen returned to her home rowing club in Calgary – where she has been practicing since picking up the sport at 15 – and last month, she tried out for the provincial team.
After a set of grueling trials, Thorsen was one of nine heavyweight (over 129 pounds) and two lightweight women (under 129 pounds) to land a spot on Team Alberta.
She’s one of a select few Cochrane and area athletes who will travel to the 2017 Canada Summer Games in Winnipeg from July 28 to Aug. 13, where more than 4,000 competitors and coaches will compete in 16 different sports.
Thorsen has been getting up as early as 4:30 a.m. for years as part of her passion as a rower, and although she’s appeared at the Western Canada Summer Games before, the Canada Games will be the highest level of competition she’s faced so far.
Mom, Denean, said she, her husband, Lyle, and their youngest daughter, Chanelle, will all travel to Manitoba to cheer their dedicated athlete on.
“(We’re) super excited; super proud … It’s great to see this,” said Denean. “She’s worked so hard to get where she is now. We can’t wait to watch her race there.”
At the Canada Games, Thorsen will row in both singles and doubles heats. She said she loves rowing because it pushes the physical and mental limits of her body – beginning just 20 strokes into the seven-and-a-half minute, 2,000-metre course.
“The first 20 strokes feel pretty good – you’re at a super-high rate … all you hear is water and all the boats going. After about 20 strokes you start feeling the pain set in. I find my legs are the first ones that start going,” she described. “You hit about 250 metres and you … start to feel some lactic acid building up. At 500, it becomes pretty painful at that point: that’s the point you really have to commit to your teammates, commit to yourself. The third 500 … It kind of just settles out … (then the last stretch) your legs are on fire, your back is on fire … ... your breathing rate and heart rate are pretty high.
“Then you just grind out and go as hard as you can to get to the line.”
In Kenora, Ont., where the rowing portion of the Canada Games will be held, Thorsen will race up to six times over five days if she makes it to the finals. She said there won’t be much time for relaxing or celebrating until the entire regatta is finished.
“(You have an) ice bath or cold shower,” she said, “(and) get ready for your next race.”
