Canada will have four opportunities for medals tomorrow at the finals of the 2006 World Rowing Under 23 Championships in Hazewinkel, Belgium.
Today, the men's pair of of Liam Brennan of Perth, Ont. and Graham Rusk of Victoria, B.C. was third in a semi-final in 7:12.26, and will row against the Czech Republic, Great Britain, Serbia, Germany and Poland in the final on Sunday.
In a very close semi, Tim Colson of London, Ont. and Cameron Sylvester of Caledon, Ont. were second in 6:55.90, just behind the Czech lightweight double (6:55.36). These two lightweight doubles will join Hungary, Italy, New Zealand and Russia tomorrow in their bid for medals.
The lightweight men's four (Kurtis Boyd of Brockville, Ont., Simon Gowdy of Montréal, Que., John Haver of Saskatoon, Sask. and Rob Pratt of Kingston, Ont.) missed a chance to race in the A final after finishing fifth in today's semi in 6:41.69.
The Canadian women's four and men's eight also race in tomorrow's finals after qualifying earlier in the regatta.
The men's eight race - the final event of the regatta - should be one to watch as Canada faces Poland, Romania, Germany, Italy and the U.S. for the top spot.
"The men in the eight are really focused; they are here to win," said development coach Terry Paul. "They realize this (Under 23 World Championships) is a big deal and look ready."
Today also saw some strong racing in B and C finals.
The Canadian men's coxed four - Brent Holmes-Heron of Peterborough, Ont., Andrew Rastapkevicius of Kingston, Ont., Michael Wilkinson of North Vancouver, B.C., Daniel Matthews of Vancouver, B.C and Matthew Swaile of Victoria, B.C. - won the B final to finish seventh overall in a time of 6:40.70.
The women's pair (Laura Pidgen of Orillia, Ont. and Anne Cowan of London, Ont.) was third in a B final in 8:08.28 - they finish ninth overall.
The lightweight women's double (Susan Ross of Kingston, Ont. and Michelle Burnham of Surrey, B.C.) was second in its B final to finish eighth overall in 7:36.72.
Canada's women's eight took its B final in 6:37.02 to finish seventh overall, more than 10 seconds ahead of the Ukraine. This was the first time a women's eight event has been raced at the Under-23 level.
"There were some very good eights here. Our women gave so much effort in yesterday's race, but they just ran out of gas," said women's development coach, Al Morrow. "They bounced back today with a good race in the B final."
"In terms of development, having so many heavyweight women over here is huge. They really need the competition experience and it's quite exciting to see them develop and learn here."
Women's eight members are Elizabeth McCord of Toronto, Ont., Sarah Waterfield of Kingston, Ont., Evan Wilson of Toronto, Ont., Meghan Thomas of Victoria, B.C., Larissa Lagzdins of Burlington, Ont., Cara Troelstra of Halifax, N.S., Kerry Maher of Welland, Ont., Kristina Macdonald of Langley, B.C., and Julia MacDonald of Port Moody, B.C. (coxswain).
Women's single Kara Farquharson of Mississauga, Ont. had a time of 8:00.50, and finished 17th overall after coming in fifth in today's C final.
Finals are held on Sunday morning.
Canadian Semi-Final Results
2006 World Rowing Under 23 Championships
(2000 metres)
Men's pair (top three advance to final)
1 GBR 7:04.34
2 CZE 7:09.70
3 CAN 7:12.26 (Liam BRENNAN, Graham RUSK)
4 LTU 7:17.05
5 BLR 7:17.64
Lightweight men's double (top three advance to final)
1 CZE 6:55.36
2 CAN 6:55.90 (Timothy COLSON, Cameron SYLVESTER)
3 HUN 6:59.28
4 FRA 7:02.99
5 GER 7:04.50
6 TUR 7:13.38
Lightweight men's four (top three advance to final)
1 GER 6:36.76
2 AUT 6:38.31
3 GBR 6:39.07
4 USA 6:41.47
5 CAN 6:41.69 (Robert PRATT, John HAVER, Simon GOWDY, Kurtis BOYD)
6 JPN 6:50.01