(July 24, 2013) : The 2013 World Rowing Under 23 Championships began its heats today with rowers enjoying calm waters at the course in Linz-Ottensheim, Austria.
Canada advanced two crews today - only four Canadian crews saw action on Wednesday, with five more crews that have yet to race at this five-day regatta.
The lightweight men's pair Maxwell Lattimer of Delta, BC, and Evan Cheng of Vancouver, BC, advanced to the semis. Great Britain won the heat in 6:51.83, Canada was second in 6:53.99, followed by Australia, Austria and the U.S. to the repechage. (All times based on 2000m).
"We stuck to our game plan and didn't get too flustered in the first 500 metres," said Cheng, a student at the University of British Columbia. "We are feeling at the top of our game right now and I'm excited to see what happens in the semi."
The men's single of Benjamin Murphy of Markham, ON, finished second in 7:14.61, behind the Italian sculler who had a time of 7:09.77. Due to the amount of entries, Murphy now goes to a quarter-final race.
With only the top two advancing, Canada's men's coxed four was third in its heat. New Zealand advanced in 6:20.38, France held on for second in 6:23.09 and Canada was third in 6:25.75. The Canadians must now row in a rep to attempt to advance. This crew is Robert Gage of Hamilton, ON, Alexander Janzen of Langley BC, William O'Connell of Victoria BC, Trofym Anderson of Welland, ON, and coxswain Jacob Koudys of Fonthill, ON
Lightweight men's single Matthew Christie of Kingston, ON, was fifth in 7:24.75 in his heat, and will now also go to the rep in order to progress at this regatta.
Canada has five more crews that have yet to race at this five-day regatta.
The Linz-Ottensheim regatta course experienced flooding a month ago and a massive effort to remove the mud build-up meant a fully operative course was ready for this regatta.
Full results at www.worldrowing.com