ARA Athlete Profiles

Pauline Van Roessel started rowing with the University of Alberta, based at the Edmonton Rowing Club in the autumn of 1996. 

After training for less than a year in the sport, Pauline placed Second at the Royal Canadian Henley Regatta in the Senior Women's Coxless Pair with her partner Theresa Rivalin.  Later, Pauline and Theresa placed second at the Canada Cup in the Women's Pair. 

In 1998, in her second summer of rowing after another winter of training, Pauline (again with Theresa Rivalin) was undefeated in the Pair - winning the Intermediate and Senior Pair at the Canadian Henley representing Edmonton RC.  A week later in Montreal, Pauline and Theresa were in the winning Four and Pair at the Canada Cup, representing Alberta.  In part as a result of her performances at National selection events in 1998, Pauline also earned a "development" card through Rowing Canada.

In 1999, Pauline moved to Victoria to train full time.  In the summer of 1999 placed 5th in the Women's 4- at the World Rowing Championship, in St. Catharines, Ontario.

Pauline was then the last person cut from "port" for the 2000 Olympic team.  She returned to the U of Alberta to finish her degree in Industrial Design.  In January 2001, Pauline started training while completing the degree, returning to London ON in April 2001 to prepare for selection racing in June that year.  Pauline's national team career has been:

 2001: World Championships 8+ - Seventh place

Pauline is presently retired from competition, and is the "Athlete Representative" with Rowing Canada.

As well as being a nationally carded athlete through Sport Canada, Pauline received additional support from Alberta Rowing, and was been sponsored by the Canadian Pulse Growers in her drive to compete at the 2004 Olympic Games in the Women's 8+.