Ideal racing conditions greeted rowers this morning on Lake Rotsee - also known as the "Lake of the Gods" for its atmosphere and natural beauty - in Lucerne, Switzerland for Rowing World Cup.
The Canadian lightweight men's four took advantage of the calm water and won its heat in 6:02.23, beating France, Spain, Australia and Chile. The four consists of Doug Vandor (Dewittville, Que.), Jon Mandick (Edmonton, Alta.), Iain Brambell (Brentwood Bay, B.C.) and Gavin Hassett (Victoria B.C.) This is Vandor’s first year as part of the four, and his first World Cup race in this event.
"It was a solid row and they're happy with it," said Rowing Canada Aviron lightweight coach Terry Paul, after the heat.
The men's eight, who beat a top German crew at last weekend's British Henley, were edged out in today's heat by less than a second by the German men's eight. Canada’s time was 5:34.88, and Germany won in 5:34.65. The Canadian boat, however, still qualified for tomorrow's semi-finals.
The men's eight members are Andrew Hoskins (Edmonton, Alta.), Kyle Hamilton (Richmond, B.C.), Adam Kreek (London, Ont.), Kevin Light (Sidney, B.C.), Jeff Powell (Winnipeg, Man.), Ben Rutledge (Cranbrook, B.C.), Joe Stankevicius (Dundas, Ont.), Matt Swick (St. Catharines, Ont.) and Brian Price (coxswain, Belleville, Ont.).
After missing out in this morning's heats, the lightweight women's double and lightweight men's double had a second chance to qualify for the semi-finals in this afternoon's repechage races.
The lightweight women’s double event started off the day with 18 boats and 15, including Canada's Fiona Milne of Niagara-on-Lake, Ont. and Shona McLaren of Victoria, B.C., had to race repechages later in the day. Canada was third in 7:08.51 in its rep. The top three crews in each rep qualified for the semi-final and included both United States entries, the Australian combination, Ireland, France, Poland, Denmark and Canada.
Canada's lightweight men's double of Brent Borbridge of Winnipeg, Man. and Matt McCarthy of Peterborough, Ont. will not advance to the semi-finals after coming third to Russia and the U.S. this afternoon. Canada's time was 6:36.63.
Rowers will return to the scenic Rotsee course tomorrow for the semi-finals, and the finals will be held on Sunday. This is the second World Cup of the season, but the first for Canadian crews. The Canadian heavyweight women will race at the final World Cup in Munich at the beginning of August.
2002 Zurich Rowing World Cup - Lucerne (2000 metres) Canadian Heats Results (Morning)
Lightweight men's four heat 3 (top three to semis) CAN 6:02.23 FRA 6:05.87 ESP 6:16.80 AUS 6:20.95 CHI 6:21.96
Men's eight heat 1 (top three to semis) GER 5:34.65 CAN 5:34.88 POL 5:42.77 AUS 5:44.63
Lightweight women's double heat 3 (first place to semis) NED2 7:06.59 CAN 7:07.45 USA1 7:09.99 IRL 7:15.80 POL 7:16.11 CHN1 7:19.16
Lightweight men's double heat 1 (first place to semis) GER 6:25.59 CZE 6:28.92 ESP1 6:40.58 CAN 6:43.18 HKG 7:08.33
Canadian Repechage Results (Afternoon)
Lightweight women's double rep 3 (top three advance) POL 7:03.05 DEN 7:04.92 CAN 7:08.51 SWE 7:16.17 INA 7:40.27 Lightweight men's double rep 2 (top two advance) RUS 6:27.73 USA 6:34.89 CAN 6:36.63
Full results can be found at http://www.worldrowing.com