The Canadian men's eight continued its winning ways today at the World Cup in Lucerne, taking its semi-final race in 5:33.88. Great Britain and the Netherlands followed.
"Coming into this race we knew the main competition would come from the Dutch and Great Britain," explains men's eight coxswain Brian Price. "We were able to get into a good rhythm and move on both crews coming into 500m. From there, we just tried to continue driving the boat speed.... We never quite had a full boat-length lead coming into the 1500m mark, but nearly."
Great Britain's time was 5:35.81, followed by the Netherlands in 5:38.43. Germany took the other semi in a time similar to the Canadians - 5:33.95, with Russia and Australia also qualifying for the medal round. Tomorrow's final promises to the an exciting race to cap off this World Cup.
In the very competitive event of the lightweight women's double, Tracy Cameron of Shubenacadie, N.S. and Lindsay Jennerich of Victoria won their semi in 7:06.01, followed by Great Britain and Poland. Denmark, Germany and the U.S. will also be in the final tomorrow.
Scott Frandsen of Kelowna, B.C. and Barney Williams of Saltspring Island, B.C. were third in men's pair in time of 6:34.54 - they also advance to the finals.
The lightweight men's four was second (6:04.16) to Great Britain (6:03.08) in their semi and also move forward to the medal round. This boat of experienced racers includes Iain Brambell of Victoria, Jon Beare of Toronto, Mike Lewis of Victoria and Liam Parsons of Thunder Bay, Ont. The Under 23 light men's four racing for Canada did not qualify for the A final at this regatta, but are using the valuable racing experience to prepare for the upcoming Under 23 Worlds.
Canada was fifth in the men's four in 6:04.11, and will row the B finals for places seven to 12. Members of this four are Derek O'Farrell of Unionville, Ont., Rob Gibson of Kingston, Ont., Peter Dembicki of West Vancouver, B.C., and Kristopher Kip McDaniel of Cobble Hill, B.C.
The lightweight men's double of Doug Vandor of Dewittville, Que. and Matt Jensen of Innerkip, Ont. was sixth in 6:37.05, not enough to qualify for the A finals.
Yesterday afternoon, the men's quad won its rep qualifying ahead of Romania and Great Britain. Today, however, the crew was fifth in the semi in 5:58.67 and will row in the B final. The quad is Jamie Faris of Fort Saskatchewan, Alta., Steve Van Knotsenburg of Beamsville, Ont., Gabe Bergen of 100 Mile House, B.C., and Rob Weitemeyer of Coquitlam, B.C.
Tim Colson of London, Ont - rowing in the lightweight men's single - was fourth in the semi and then was third in the B final in 7:13.59 (finishing ninth overall).
Yesterday, Canada's Under 23 eight was fourth in the rep and will not row for the medals.
Racing for medals runs on Sunday at the Rotsee course. Full results and reports at www.worldrowing.com.