Canada's team at the World Rowing Under 23 Championships in Racice, Czech Republic, showed strength in large and small boats on the third day of the regatta.
The U23 men's four of Will Crothers (Kingston, ON), Anthony Jacob (Vancouver, B.C), Max Lang (Lumby, BC), and Conlin McCabe (Brockville, ON) won their semi in 6:02.14. They will face New Zealand, Germany, the U.S., Romania and Slovenia in tomorrow's fight for medals in this event.
"The guys planned on stepping on the gas at 750 (metres) and split the field. That's exactly what they did and they coasted in the last 1000 metres," said men's development coach Terry Paul. "The Kiwis (who won the other semi in 5:59.38) look like they are the real deal so the boys are looking forward to going for it in the final."
The Canadian U23 women's eight won the rep today, leading all the way down the course to finish in 6:18.53 and proceed to the final tomorrow. Canada, Poland, Germany and Belarus qualified for the final from this rep, which was delayed by a day due to storm damage of some boats.
"The women's eight had a strong race today and have put themselves in a good position for tomorrow's final," said women's U23 coach Michelle Darvill. "All crews have stepped up their game and the women are ready for a tight race."
The U23 women's eight is Rosie deBoef (Victoria, BC), Ashton Brown (Calgary, AB), Lauren Hutchins (North Vancouver, B.C.), Kim Kennedy (Calgary, AB), Natalie Mastracci (Thorold, ON), Kira O'Sullivan (Victoria B.C.), Caitlin Trumble (Calgary, AB/Perth, Australia), Lauren Wilkinson (Vancouver, B.C.) and Kristen Kit (coxswain) of St. Catharines, Ont.
In an exciting men's single semi, Lithuania (6:55.67), Bulgaria (6:56.09) and Canada's Michael Braithwaite qualified for the final. The Canadian sculler came from behind to finish in 6:56.40, edging out the Argentinean who had been leading for most of the race, but then fell to fourth in 6:58.08 - only the top three in the semi move to the finals. Braithwaite is a Duncan, B.C., native who also rowed for the University of Toronto.
"It was a really gutsy performance by Mike," said Rowing Canada Aviron's Director of High Performance Peter Cookson.
Although she got a fast start, Canada's Ricki Baxter of Burnaby, B.C., finished fourth (7:49.29) in the semi-final and will row in a B final. Great Britain, Belarus and Austria advanced.
The U23 lightweight men's four faced the same fate - finishing fourth in the semi in 6:09.46 and moving to the B final that determines places seven to 12. Spain won this semi in 6:04.49. The Canadian U23 lightweight men's four is Rares Crisan (Mississauga Ont.), Travis King (Grimsby, Ont.), Ryan Meyers (Kingston Ont.), and Jeff Overington (Kingston Ont.).
The lightweight women's double of Kathryn Twyman of Edmonton, Alta., and Rebecca Gregory of Brampton, Ont. finished fifth in the semi in 7:26.08 and move to the B final of this event.
The Canadian women's pair (Sarah Black of Ottawa, Ont. and Erika Shaw of Victoria, B.C.) had the fastest time in the B final (7:42.68) to finish seventh overall.
Canada has four crews in the finals - men's eight, women's eight, men's four, and men's single.
The final day of racing is Sunday, July 26.
http://www.worldrowing.com has full results and reports.