The Commonwealth Rowing Championships began today in Welland, Ontario, with Canada leading overall after 13 events. Racing continues tomorrow at the Welland International Flatwater Centre.
Canada took seven gold medals today. Scotland won four golds and Australia had two top-placings. Full results attached.
The Canadian team is using the Commonwealth Championships to give its up-and-coming rowers some international racing experience in several different boat classes.
Josh Morris of Victoria, B.C., who recently returned from the World Rowing Under 23 Championships in Belarus, won the men's single event today. "I had a good start and was able to establish an early lead," said Morris. "England (Benjamin Hicks) pushed up in the last 500m of the race, but I was able to hold onto the lead. This regatta is a great opportunity to get international race experience."
Morris also medaled in the men's pair (a bronze with Mike Lewis of Dorchester, Ont.) and in the men's four he took a silver with Tom Watson, also of Victoria, Mike Lewis and Kristjan Joubert of St.-Lambert, QC.
Canada's women's team had a great day, medaling in all events they entered.
Victoria, British Columbia's Liz Fenje and Patricia Obee won the lightweight women's double. "Over the course of the summer we've learned a lot rowing together, in particular about race strategy and mental preparation," said Fenje, who also recently returned from the Under 23s in Belarus. "Today, we were able to execute our race with these newly learned lessons in mind. We feel it was a successful note on which to end our summer (of racing as a double)."
Obee also won Canada's first gold medal of the day in the lightweight single. The other women's team medalists were Laura Cowal of Thorold, ON and Lauren Wilkinson of North Vancouver, BC.
In addition to the seven gold medals (lightweight women's single, women's pair, lightweight women's and men's doubles, men's single, lightweight women's pair, women's double) today, Canada took two silver (women's single, and men's four) and two bronze medals (men's pair, lightweight men's pair).
"We were really excited to race here," said Canadian women's development coach Michelle Darvill. "The venue is amazing and has enabled the athletes to get in some great racing."
Also today, the Government of Canada officially announced its support of the regatta.
"Our Government is proud to support the 2010 edition of the Commonwealth Rowing Championships," said Minister of State (Sport) Gary Lunn in a release today. "This high-level regatta will encourage young Canadians to get involved in a sport in which our national team has enjoyed tremendous success in world-class competitions. It will also further increase the visibility of both the Welland International Flatwater Centre and Canada on the international hosting stage."
The Government of Canada is the single largest contributor to sport in Canada and supports participation and excellence from the playground to the podium. Funding of $49,000 is being provided to Rowing Canada Aviron in support of the 2010 Commonwealth Rowing Championships through Sport Canada's Hosting Program.
Full results available at:
http://www.rowingcanada.org/home
Photos:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=188250&id=81982893039&l=ee02120f95
Canadian team list at:
http://www.rowingcanada.org/newsandresults/crc_2010_team/