The first-ever rowing competition in the Paralympic Games began today at the Shunyi Olympic Rowing-Canoeing Park near Beijing, China.

Canada's three entries all raced today. In the LTA4+ (legs, trunk and arms coxed four), Canada's boat finished fourth in 3:43.72 (1000 metres). With only the first-place finisher advancing to the A final, Canada must now row in the repechage tomorrow. The four is Megan Montgomery of Winnipeg, MB, Victoria Nolan of Toronto, ON, Scott Rand of Calgary, AB, Tony Theriault of Nanaimo, BC, and Laura Comeau (coxswain) of St. Catharines, ON.

"Today's race was a good opportunity for the four to asses its race plan and see where they are internationally," said Allison Sheard, Canadian adaptive team coordinator. "I believe they have a lot left in the tank for the next race."

The TA2x (trunk and arms double scull) entry of Wilfredo (Papito) Morilson of Toronto, ON, and Caitlin Renneson of Ottawa, ON, finished sixth in the heat in 4:50.54. The Chinese double won this heat in 4:14.67.

AM1x (men's single, arms only) Steve Daniel of Val Therese, ON, was also sixth after experiencing some equipment problems during the first part of his race. Daniel will row in the repechage tomorrow.

Canada does not have an entry in the women's single. Great Britain's Helene Raynsford not only won this first event of the first Paralympic Games adaptive rowing event, but she set a new World Best Time of 5:38.44.

Adaptive rowing events are raced over 1000m. The 2000m Olympic regatta course has been altered with a floating dock fixed at the 1000m mark. The same starting procedure as at the Beijing Olympics is used.

Racing starts at 15:00 (Beijing time) each day and goes for about two and a half hours, with finals held on Sept. 11.

Full results can be found at www.worldrowing.com.