Canada won medals in each of its final races today - with a total haul of five, including three gold - at the 2003 BearingPoint World Cup in Lucerne, Switzerland.
"It's one of those days where everyone in Canada should be proud," said head coach Brian Richardson. "The Lucerne World Cup is at a very high standard - it's the peak of the European season - and we're coming home with five medals in Olympic boat classes."
The men's eight, 2002 World Champions, continued its winning streak, convincingly beating Germany, Australia, the Netherlands, Croatia and Italy to win gold. Canada's time was 5:28.24.
"We knew we were the fastest if we kept to our plan," said Kevin Light, a member of the men's eight since 2001. "The Germans made a move at around 1000 metres, but we maintained our lead and had a strong last 500. We were fit enough, and we are gaining confidence in each other with each race."
Members of the eight are Dave Calder of Victoria, B.C., Kyle Hamilton of Richmond, B.C., Andrew Hoskins of Edmonton, Alta., Adam Kreek of London, Ont., Kevin Light of Sidney, B.C., Jeff Powell of Winnipeg, Man., Ben Rutledge of Cranbrook, B.C., Joe Stankevicius of Dundas, Ont. and Brian Price of Belleville, Ont. (cox).
The heavyweight men's four of Barney Williams of Salt Spring Island, B.C., Jake Wetzel of Saskatoon, Sask., Cam Baerg of Saskatoon, Sask. and Tom Herschmiller of Comox, B.C., a crew that only came together weeks before this important race, also had a golden day.
"We made the commitment from the first stroke to get our nose out, and we pushed harder than anyone else," said Barney Williams, just before accepting his World Cup gold. "It's a world-class field and we did this as a crew." Canada’s time was 5:47.42, ahead of powerful rowing nations, Italy and Germany. (Full results below.)
Karen Clark of Delta, B.C. and Jacqui Cook of Burlington, Ont., medallists in the women's pair since 2001, today picked up their first Lucerne World Cup gold in this event. "The (World Champion) Romanians are not here, so we have to keep it in perspective, but this is very solid for us," said Clark. The pair edged out Belarus and Great Britain to win in a time of 7:10.72. Cook and Clark also picked up a bronze as part of the women's eight later in the day.
The lightweight men's four - always a tight and exciting race - saw Canada in a photo finish with the Italians. Denmark, last year's World Champions, led until around the 1500-metre mark, with Canada moving from fourth to second place. Italy's final push put them just ahead of Canada and the Danes to win in 5:51.95 - with Canada's time at 5:51.97 and Denmark at 5:52.23.
"I wasn't really aware of where we were because Jon Beare makes the (race) calls," said Canadian crew member Doug Vandor. "I just kept my head in the boat." Members of the lightweight men's four are Gavin Hassett of Victoria, B.C., Jon Mandick of Edmonton, Alta., Jon Beare of Toronto, Ont. and Vandor of Dewittville, Que.
The Canadian women's eight were third after the first-place Romanians and the silver-medal Germans. They beat the typically strong Australian boat to pick up a bronze. "We're moving forward each year and growing as a crew," said Sarah Pape, Canada's coxswain.
Women's eight members are Buffy Williams of St. Catharines, Ont., Roslyn McLeod of Burlington, Ont., Pauline Van Roessel of Bow Island, Alta., Darcy Marquardt of Richmond, B.C., Andreanne Morin of Montreal, Que., Rachel Dunnet of West Vancouver, B.C., Karen Clark of Delta, B.C., Jacqui Cook of Burlington, Ont. and Sarah Pape of Toronto, Ont.
The Lucerne World Cup is a warm-up for the crucial 2003 Rowing World Championships, which serve also as the main Olympic qualifier for rowing. Canada will send these, and other crews, to Milan, Italy, in late August to compete for World medals and berths in the 2004 Athens Olympic Games regatta.