In their first international races of the year, the Canadian women's pair and lightweight women's double both placed first at the International Wedau-Regatta 2004 in Duisburg, Germany.
The new women's pair combination of Darcy Marquardt of Richmond, B.C. and veteran rower Buffy Williams of St. Catharines, Ont. was first in 7:57.99, more than 11 seconds ahead of the next crew from Germany.
Entered in the women's double event, the Canadian lightweight double of Fiona Milne of Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont. and Mara Jones of Aurora, Ont. was also first in 7:42.79, followed by a double from the Ukraine in 7:49.76 and Germany in third in 7:54.14. Milne is the reigning lightweight singles World Champion.
In the men's four event, Canada's lightweight men were third in 6:40.27. France won in 6:35.48 and Lithuania was second in 6:36.82. The lightweight mens four is Gavin Hassett of Victoria, B.C., Jon Mandick also of Victoria, Iain Brambell of Brentwood Bay, B.C. and Jon Beare of Toronto, Ont.
In a two-boat race, the Canadian women's eight (6:44:15) was beaten by the German eight today (6:38:35).
The International Wedau-Regatta is one of the top regattas in Germany - more than 22 countries have entered the event. The final races, including appearances by Canada's world champion men's eight and men's four, will take place tomorrow.
The Canadian team is using the Wedau Regatta as a warm-up for its first World Cup of the season in Munich next week.