Olympic medallist Giles wins at national canoe-kayak trials

Steve Giles of Lake Echo, N.S. made a strong bid to remain a leader with the national canoe-kayak team with his win in the C-1 1,000 at the national team trials Saturday.

The C-1 1,000 is the event in which Giles won a bronze medal at the Sydney Olympics last September.

Other winners in Saturday's competition included Olympian Karen Furneaux of Waverley, N.S. in the women's K-1, 1,000; Adam van Koeverden of Oakville, Ont. in the men's K-1 1,000; and Mike Scarola and Richard Dalton, both of Halifax, in the men's C-2 1,000.

The national trials is the first step in determining the team Canada will send to the World Cup circuit in Europe. The 24 paddlers who will represent Canada will be named to the team following the trials and national team training camp.

Two-time Olympic silver medallist and multiple world champion Caroline Brunet of Lac-Beauport, Que., who was also Furneaux's partner in the K-2 500 at Sydney, will not be part of that team.

Brunet, likely the greatest kayaker in Canadian sport history, is taking some time off from competition and is skipping the national trials. However, Brunet is expected to be an integral member of the team once again in the 2002 season.