Born in 1957 into an athletic family, Tricia Smith was a natural athlete, who swam competitively at the national level before she joined the Vancouver Rowing Club in 1974 and later, the Burnaby Lake Rowing Club. Smith rowed as stroke position most of her fifteen year career, and although she competed in coxed fours and eights, she specialized in the more technically demanding pairs event, with her partner of many years, Betty Craig.

When not competing with the National team in Europe, Smith competed at six National Championships between 1974 and 1982 (winning five gold, one silver), and five Royal Canadian Henley Regattas (winning seven gold, one silver). At the 1980 Henley, she won every event (Eight, Four, Pair).

At the 1980 Canadian Open Championships, Smith captured gold in all three events, and in 1981, again won gold in the pairs. In addition, she won every year she competed at the Canadian Speed Order (small boat) Championships.

Overseas success included medals in international regattas in West Germany (1976, 1977, gold; 1979, bronze); Amsterdam (1980, gold; 1988, gold); Vichy (1982, bronze); Moscow (1982, silver; 1983, gold); East German International (1984, bronze).

In addition, Smith competed at Switzerland’s prestigious Rotsee Regatta for nine years between 1976 and 1988 winning three gold, five silver and two bronze medals.

During the 1982 and 1983 season, Smith and Craig lived in Italy with their coach Kris Korzeniowski, training and competing on the European circuit with the Italian team.

From 1976 until her retirement in 1988, Tricia competed in every World Rowing Championship, four Olympic Games, and in 1986, the only recent Commonwealth Games to include rowing. At the World Championships, she won six bronze medals and one silver medal. She and Craig were, with rare exception, the only “western crew” in finals that were dominated by Eastern Bloc crews.

At the Olympic Games, Smith placed fifth in 1976 in the pair and won silver in the same event in 1984. In 1988, she rowed in the fours, placing seventh. In 1986, rowing in the four, Tricia captured a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games.

Smith is also inducted in the UBC Sports Hall of Fame. For her UBC biography, please visit www.ubcsportshalloffame.com