Canada looked strong in today's semi-final races at the Henley Royal Regatta in Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, England.
The Canadian men's eight, rowing as Victoria City Rowing Club/University of Victoria, won against the Danmarks Rocenter eight of Denmark by more than four lengths in six minutes and 17 seconds. The Canadians, all members of the National Team eight, will face Ruder Club Hansa von 1898 e.v. Dortmund/ Ruderverein Munster of Germany in tomorrow's finals.
The men's eight members are Andrew Hoskins (Edmonton, Alta.), Kyle Hamilton (Richmond, B.C.), Adam Kreek (London, Ont.), Kevin Light (Sidney, B.C.), Jeff Powell (Winnipeg, Man.), Ben Rutledge (Victoria, B.C.), Joe Stankevicius (Dundas, Ont.), Matt Swick (St. Catharines, Ont.) and Brian Price (coxswain, Belleville, Ont.).
The Canadian National Team lightweight men's four - rowing as the Gorge Rowing Centre - beat a crew from Leander and London rowing clubs (England) by one length to win in six minutes and 45 seconds. The Canadian four will face a Danish crew in tomorrow's finals.
"They had a good row," said National Team lightweight coach, Terry Paul. "They got into a good rhythm off the start and had a good kick at the end."
Crew members of the lightweight men’s four are Doug Vandor (Dewittville, Que.), Jon Mandick (Edmonton, Alta.), Iain Brambell (Brentwood Bay, B.C.) and Gavin Hassett (Victoria B.C.). Hassett and Brambell both rowed in the as part of the Olympic lightweight four, while Vandor and Mandick are relative newcomers to international rowing.
The Canadian crews are rowing for two of the oldest cups in the regatta - The Grand Challenge Cup for eights, which dates from 1839 when the first Henley was held, and the Stewards' Challenge Cup for fours, which was first contested in 1841.
The Henley Regatta has been held annually since 1839, except during the two World Wars. The regatta has since increased in size and popularity and is now one of the Worlds best-known rowing and social events.
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