A cloudy, slightly breezy day greeted the rowers at the start the World Cup in Munich, Germany, (Aug. 1 to 3). Two of Canada's heavyweight women's crews raced today - both advancing to tomorrow's semi-finals.
2001 World bronze medallists Jacqui Cook of Burlington, Ont. and Karen Clark of Delta, B.C. advance to the semi-finals in women's pair. In their heat, Yuliya Bichyk and Natallia Helakh of Belarus pulled off the fastest qualifying time of 7:14.51 ahead of Canada (7:19.65) and the Netherlands (7:22.45) - the top three go directly to the semis. World Champions, Romania, as well as Germany, France, the two Australian crews and South Africa will join them after finishing in the top three in their heats.
"It was a good tune-up race for Jacqui and Karen," said women's coach Al Morrow of the pair's first international racing experience of the season. "I know they have even better races in them."
Canada’s second entry in the women's pair event, Dorota Urbaniak of Toronto, Ont. and Katy Dunnet of Vancouver, B.C., was forced to row in a repechage after finishing fifth in the heat this morning. However, this afternoon Urbaniak and Dunnet (7:39.96) were a close second to Russia (7:38.61) in the rep and advance to the semi-finals.
"Katy and Dorota rowed really well in the rep, especially in the final 500 metres," said Morrow. "It was an inspiring performance, and there’s a lot more racing to come for Canada."
Due to the smaller amount of entries in their events, Canada's women's four and eight did not row today, but will row in two finals, tomorrow and Saturday.
More than 700 athletes from 45 countries are racing at the 2002 Zurich Rowing World Cup Munich - more than predicted and a record for this regatta. It is being held on the Olympic Regatta Course Munich-Oberschleissheim, site of the 1972 Olympic rowing events.
-- Jackie Skender - Rowing Canada Aviron