Junior rowers from 50 nations returned to the Shunyi Olympic course today for semifinals, with two Canadian boats moving forward for a chance at the medals tomorrow.
The Junior pair of Anthony Jacob of Vancouver, B.C. and Conlin McCabe of Brockville, Ont. held off a strong Romanian pair to win today's semifinal in 6:50.69. Romania, the Czech Republic, China, Germany and Austria will be Canada's competition in the final on Saturday.
"It's not everyday you get to row in the A final at a Junior World Championships," said McCabe, who finished fourth at the Junior Worlds in 2006 as part of the coxed four crew. "We have to rise to the challenge and row our own race as fast as we can."
The Junior women's single was third today in 8:07.00 to qualify for the A final. Weiwei Zhu of China took first in this semi (7:49.01), followed by Tina Manker of Germany (8:02.91), with Lauren Wilkinson of North Vancouver, B.C. taking the final qualifying spot. These singles will face Great Britain, Lithuania and Norway in the final tomorrow.
The Junior men's double (David Wakulich of St. Catharines, Ont. and Alexander Soutter of Thornhill, Ont.) was fourth 6:45.69, and just missed a chance to move forward.
Canada's Junior men's four was fifth in the semi in 6:23.10, and does not move to the medal round. The four is Andrew Knorr (Saskatoon, Sask.), Stuart Taylor (Brockville, Ont), Spencer Crowley (Lantzville, BC) and Noah O'Connell (Metchosin, BC).
The Canadian women's double (Claudia Blandford of Winnipeg, Man. and Alex Crawshaw of Victoria, BC.) moves to the D final after finishing fifth in the semi C/D race today in 7:49.93.