Day One: Canadian Rowers Begin Pan Am Campaign Today in Mexico
Five Canadian boats raced this morning, kicking off the Pan American Games regatta at the Rowing and Canoeing Course in Guzman, Mexico.
The women's double of Audra Vair of Creemore, ON, and Elizabeth McCord of Toronto, ON, won in 7:23.95 and advance to the A finals. The U.S. was second in 7:24.97 and Mexico was third in 7:33.24.
"I think there were some nerves going in," said Vair, who is rowing in her first PanAm Games. "We had a really strong start, and in the second 1000 metres, we set the tone for the finish. We were composed, and know what we have to do in the final."
The men's four of Spencer Crowley of Lantzville, BC, Blake Parsons of Toronto, ON, David Wakulich of St. Catharines, ON, and Kai Langerfeld of Parksville, BC, was also first in 6:08.10 to advance to the A finals. The four led the whole way down the course, but the Mexicans were close at the finish in 6:09.90.
"We are pleased with today's result," said Crowley, who also represented Canada this year at the World Under 23 Championships. "Through the middle Mexico made a push, but we held them off and executed our race according to plan. It's great to have that first race out of the way."
The lightweight men's double of Terry McKall of Edmonton, AB, and Travis King of Grimsby, ON, also won their heat today - the time over 2000 metres was 6:33.82. Brazil was second in 6:34.16, and Argentina was off the pace in 6:56.42.
The women's pair (Sandra Kisil of Ancaster, ON, and Sarah Bonikowsky of Orangeville, ON) was third in today's heat in 7:41.77, and will also row in the finals, as this event has five entries in total. The U.S. won this race for lanes in 7:31.72, followed by Argentina in 7:36.22. Cuba and Mexico rounded out the field.
The men's single of Michael Braithwaite of Duncan, BC, had a tougher go of it and was third in 7:26.04. Cuba took first in 7:13.41, and moved to the A finals. Braithwaite rows in a rep this afternoon.
The conditions were good today, and organizers have worked hard to prepare the course for this Pan Am Games regatta.
"Local organizers and FISA officials have done a lot of work to get the regatta off the ground, and we were excited to see some great racing," said Rowing Canada Aviron High Performance Director Peter Cookson.
Heats and reps continue tomorrow, with finals on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.