A sense of how Paralympic rowing has progressed over the past few years was evident for Canada's mixed four crew today in Munich, Germany.
After 2010 and 2011 World Championship podium finishes, Canada was out of reach of the medals at this World Cup.
World Champions from Great Britain took gold in 3:25.25 (1000m), Germany was second in 3:25.78, and the Ukraine grabbed the final medal in 3:30.81. France (3:37.03), Brazil (3:38.19), and Canada (3:39.55) still have more work to do before the Paralympic Games later this summer.
"It's an eye opener to what the competition will be in London," said Canada's Para-rowing coach Jeff Dunbrack. "We are up for the challenge."
The Canadian crew is (coxswain) Kristen Kit of St. Catharines, Ont., Victoria Nolan of Toronto, David Blair of Ottawa, Meghan Montgomery of Winnipeg, MB, and Tony Theriault of Nanaimo, B.C.
In other World Cup news, Canada's women's pair (Carolyn Ganes of Saskatoon, Sask. and Larissa Lagzdins of Burlington, Ont.) advanced to the final.
With top four advancing, the race played out like this: Romania (7:24.19), Germany (7:27.66), Canada (7:29.45), Argentina (7:30.20), Italy (7:31.75) and Germany-2 (7:42.46). Note: the Olympic distance is 2000 metres.
Although Canada has not qualified a women's pair for the Olympics, they will be part of a World Cup final with a strong field that will see Canada lining up against Great Britain, New Zealand, Romania, Argentina and Germany tomorrow.
There are three Canadian crews rowing in Munich - the Para mixed four, the women's pair, and tomorrow the women's eight competes in its final.