The article below was published in the Peak in August of 1999:
Browett shows art of gold
It was a proud day for Powell River and all Canadians on July 30 when Jennifer Browett and her partner Laryssa Biesenthal won gold in the double sculls women's rowing event at the Pan American Games in Winnipeg.
"I felt tired, and really good," said Browett, who was born and raised in Powell River. "It's hard to put into words what it's like to win in front of a home crowd. There were so many Canadians cheering. It was definitely emotional. I feel very proud and I hope that all Canadians can feel proud of Canada, to know we have a good rowing system in this country."
Browett, 27, has been rowing for about 12 years. She trains for four to five hours per day, six days a week doing weights, running, cross-training and stationary bike. In the week or so before the games, she wasn't sure how well she and Biesenthal would do since they were thrown together at the last minute; they had under two weeks to practice as a team.
"Generally, you want to be training together more than that," said Browett. "Still, she went into the race confident, preparing herself mentally for about a week in advance. She said she tried to feel, execute and see each stroke she would make in the race.
"The night before, Laryssa and I visualized exactly what we would do and how we would accomplish it. I visualized being ahead and how I would feel, and I visualized being behind and how I would feel. And I made myself feel relaxed."
Browett said she visualized them winning, so it felt really good when they did.
"Technically we were not perfect, but I felt we were strong enough to do it."
The race took place on Lake Minnedosa, which is in the town of the same name just outside of Brandon, Manitoba.
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