Laryssa Biesenthal (born June 22, 1971)[1] is a Canadian former representative rower.[2] She is a dual Olympic medallist and represented Canada in sweep-oared and sculling boats at four World Rowing Championships, medalling on each occasion. She is married to Olympic rower Iain Brambell.[3]

Laryssa Biesenthal
Personal information
Born (1971-06-22) June 22, 1971 (age 53)
Walkerton, Ontario, Canada
SpouseIain Brambell
Medal record
Women's rowing
Representing  Canada
Olympic Games
Bronze medal – third place 1996 Atlanta Quadruple sculls
Bronze medal – third place 2000 Sydney Eight
World Championships
Silver medal – second place 1995 Tampere Quadruple sculls
Silver medal – second place 1997 Aiguebelette-le-lac Eight
Bronze medal – third place 1998 Cologne Eight
Bronze medal – third place 1999 St. Catharines Eight
Pan American Games
Gold medal – first place 1999 Winnipeg Double sculls

Rowing career

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Biesenthal first started rowing as a student at the University of British Columbia in 1990.

She made her national representative debut for Canada at the 1995 World Rowing Championships in Tampere, Finland, where she won a silver medal in the quadruple sculls event with Kathleen Heddle, Marnie McBean and Diane O’Grady.[4] This same quad won bronze at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.[4] Biensenthal went on to win a silver medal at the 1997 World Rowing Championships, silver and bronze medals at the 1998 World Rowing Championships, and another bronze at the 1999 World Championships.[5]

Biensenthal won two more medals before retiring, gold at the 1999 Pan American Games, and a final bronze at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games.[6][5]

Coaching career

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After her retirement from competitive rowing, she worked as a coach for the Canadian national team prior to the 2004 Summer Games.[7] She has been Head Coach at the Brentwood College School on Vancouver Island and in 2022 took a senior coaching role at the Sydney University Boat Club.[8]

Biesenthal has worked as a World Rowing Development Coach in Asia and Oceania was inducted into the University of British Columbia Hall of Fame in 2014.[5]

References

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  1. ^ Evans, Hilary; Gjerde, Arild; Heijmans, Jeroen; Mallon, Bill; et al. "Laryssa Biesenthal". Olympics at Sports-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on April 17, 2020.
  2. ^ Laryssa Biesenthal at World Rowing
  3. ^ "2008 Lightweight Men". Archived from the original on August 17, 2008. Retrieved July 15, 2024.
  4. ^ a b International Olympic Committee (August 18, 2020). "Laryssa BIESENTHAL | Olympics.com". Olympics.com. Retrieved March 17, 2022.
  5. ^ a b c "Laryssa Biesenthal (2014) - UBC Sports Hall of Fame". University of British Columbia Athletics. Retrieved March 17, 2022.
  6. ^ "Laryssa Biesenthal". Team Canada - Official Olympic Team Website. September 18, 2011. Retrieved March 17, 2022.
  7. ^ "Laryssa Biesenthal (2014) - UBC Sports Hall of Fame". University of British Columbia Athletics. Retrieved March 17, 2022.
  8. ^ SUBC announcement
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