Canadian crews all advanced today, but are taking nothing for granted as they move closer to the finals of the Olympic Qualification regatta in Poznan, Poland.
The men's pair - Scott Frandsen of Kelowna, B.C. and Dave Calder of Victoria. B.C. - continued its run of wins, with a first-place finish in today's semi-final in 6:28.80 over China and Switzerland, who also move to the final. In tomorrow's race, these crews will also face the Czech Republic, Italy and Spain to determine only two Olympic places.
"This is very different from any other regatta; a lot is riding on this and it's definitely cut-throat," said Frandsen, who was a member of the men's eight in the last Olympics and rowed for Oxford University in the famous boat-race. "There are three or four really strong crews and it will be a fight right to the line tomorrow."
In the men's four, Canada's won its rep in 5:57.48. Peter Dembicki of West Vancouver, B.C., Robert Gibson of Kingston, Ont., Kristopher "Kip" McDaniel of Cobble Hill, B.C., and Jamie Faris of Fort Saskatchewan, Alta. now have a chance at the going to the Olympics if they come in the top two tomorrow.
"We going to have to go out there and find speed earlier in the race, and keep our composure right to the finish," said Faris. "We had a good race today and tomorrow we have to do it again, but with more of an edge, and with that extra push and fire that it will take to be in the top two."
The lightweight men's double of Douglas Vandor of Dewittville, Que. and Cameron Sylvester of Caledon, Ont. won its semi in 6:23.59; followed by Czech Republic in 6:25.37 and Slovakia in 6:26.28. These crews will join New Zealand, Portugal and Spain to determine the final three Olympic entries in this event.
"We've found that we are improving as a crew with each race, so it was probably good to get that extra race (the rep) under our belts," said Sylvester. "New Zealand has been dominant here, but we have been improving with each race and we're looking forward to following this trend through to tomorrow's final."
Finals for all five Canadian boats (men's pair, men's four, lightweight men's double, men's quad and women's eight) entered in this qualification regatta will be held tomorrow.