Former Varsity Blues rower Michael Braithwaite has been selected to represent Canada at the 2012 Samsung world rowing cup, May 25-27, in Lucerne, Switzerland.

Braithwaite is set to compete along side Kevin Kowalyk (Winnipeg) in the men’s double.

Rowing Canada Aviron has not yet nominated its Olympic athletes; however, all but one crew have qualified for the 2012 Olympics.

Braithwaite was a key member of the Blues rowing team from 2005-09. He won an OUA bronze medal in the men’s heavyweight double in 2007 and captured silver in 2009. The two-time team MVP also won a bronze medal in the men’s collegiate four at the Head of the Charles regatta in Boston.

Having participated in the Canadian university rowing championships in 2007, 2008 and 2009, the Duncan, B.C., native built the high performance standard of the men’s rowing team, culminating with gold at both the 2009 OUA and CURA championships in the men’s single sculls. He was named the 2009 CURA oarsman of the year.

Since graduation, Braithwaite has become a two-time under-23 national men’s singles champion, as well as a Canadian men’s single champion in 2010.

Source: Rowing Canada