The first Rowing World Cup in Linz/Ottensheim, Austria, began with the biggest field ever seen at an opening World Cup and today's finals showcased those who were able to rise above the crowd of entries.
In the traditional final race of the regatta - the men's eight - Canada came up with a big win.
The Canadian boat made its move just before the half-way mark (1000 metres) and then finished strong in a time of 5:40.98, holding off Belarus with a second-place time of 5:43.00, followed by China in 5:43.45, then Russia just out of the medals in 5:43.98, and Great Britain (5:44.88) and the Netherlands (5:46.26) finishing in fifth and sixth.
"We battled through the crews with a strong middle-course race and finish," said Kevin Light, who is back in the men's eight after winning a bronze in the men's pair at the 2006 World Championships. "It was a lot of fun to win today, but we're not taking it for granted. We know that top crews from Germany, Australia and the U.S. weren't here and China will only get stronger."
The winning combination is Kyle Hamilton of Richmond, B.C., Andrew Byrnes of Toronto, Ont., Peter Dembicki of West Vancouver, B.C, Kevin Light of Sidney, B.C., Rob Weitemeyer of Coquitlam, B.C., Adam Kreek of London, Ont., Dominic Seiterle of Victoria, B.C., Malcolm Howard of Victoria, and coxswain Stephen Cheng of Toronto, Ont.
"Mike (Spracklen, men's coach) told us to stick to the plan and we did just that - we didn't get frazzled," said Dembicki, who won an Under 23 gold in the men's eight on the same Linz course back in 2001. "Steve Cheng called a great race and we have a good mix of power and technique in this boat. It felt great."
The Canadian women's eight was fourth. Germany won in 6:16.81; Great Britain was second in 6:18.07; the Netherlands a close third in 6:18.31, followed by Canada with a time of 6:20.15; Australia in 6:21.93 and China in 6:22.79.
"We are pleased that we closed the gap with the leading crews," said women's eight coxswain Lesley Thompson-Willie, who has more than 20 years experience at the international level. The women's eight raced last month in Essen, Germany, and then attended a training camp in Slovenia. "It's still early in the season and we're looking forward to spending time at home working to improve parts of our race."
The women's eight members are coxswain Thompson-Willie of London, Ont., Buffy Williams of St. Catharines, Ont., Heather Mandoli of Kelowna, B.C., Ashley Brzozowicz of Toronto, Ont., Kaylan Vander Schilden of Victoria, B.C., Sabrina Kolker of West Vancouver, B.C., Romina Stefancic of Victoria, B.C., Katie Reynolds of St. John, N.B., and Sarah Bonikowsky of Orangeville, Ont.
Earlier today, Canada picked up two bronze medals - in the men's and women's lightweight doubles events. Lindsay Jennerich of Victoria, B.C. and Tracy Cameron of Shubenacadie, N.S. had a time of 7:11.77. Denmark won in 7:09.33, and a Chinese lightweight double took silver in 7:10.51.
"We tried to stay within ourselves but when the Danes push, they really push," Jennerich said right after the race. "The final is all mental, any of the teams could have won this race."
Men's lightweight double - Doug Vandor of Dewittville, Que., and Matt Jensen of Innerkip, Ont. - had a bronze-medal time of 6:29.68. Denmark (6:23.12) and Great Britain (6:26.83) took first and second places.
2006 World Champions in the women's pair - Jane Rumball of Fredericton, N.B. and Darcy Marquardt of Richmond, B.C. - finished outside the medals in fourth with a time of 7:12.38. Australia won in 7:09.39; followed by two U.S. crews.
The Canadian men's pair of Barney Williams of Saltspring Island, B.C. and Scott Frandsen of Kelowna, B.C. was fifth. Great Britain won the men's pair event in 6:29.77, followed by Croatia's Skelin brothers in 6:31.06 and then Germany won the tight battle for third in 6:32.24 followed by the Czech Republic in 6:32.38 and Canada in 6:32.78, with France back in sixth in 6:35.69.
The lightweight men's pair of Terry McKall of Edmonton, Alta., and John Sasi of North Delta, B.C. finished this regatta with a respectable fourth overall in 6:53.80. Italy won gold in this event in 6:45.33.
The women's quad - Anna-Marie De Zwager of Victoria, Krista Guloien of Port Moody, B.C., Zoë Hoskins of Edmonton, Alta., and Peggy Hyslop of Kamloops, B.C. - won its B final in 6:43.66 today to finish seventh overall.
Crews have stepped up their racing in this Olympic qualifying year in order to prepare for the World Championships in Munich late this August, where countries will have the chance to qualify boats for next year's Summer Games.