Canada had two podium finishes today in Szeged, Hungary, at the FISU World University Championship regatta (Aug. 13 to 15, 2010).
The lightweight women's double of Patricia Mara (Camosun College) and Jaclyn Halko (University of Western Ontario) was third in 8:19.49 (2000m). Poland and Great Britain battled in the last part of the race - the Polish crew ended up first in 8:14.46, and the British were second in 8:15.51.
"We had a great race, especially our third 500 metres, where we moved into third. It was a tight race in the first 1500 metres," said Mara.
Women's coach Rick Crawley said: "I was really impressed with their performance especially since the times for the heavy weight women's double (event) are the same."
The men's single of Michael Braithwaite (University of Toronto) picked up Canada's second bronze medal in 8:03.72. Although the Canadian sculler had a decent start and was leading half way through, Italy ended up first in 7:58.45 and Germany second in 7:59.22. Last year Braithwaite, originally from Duncan, B.C., was third at the World Under 23 Championships in the same event.
The Canadians women's four was fifth in 7:55.84 in today's A final. "It was tough having two good races the second one better than the first and then finishing fifth," said crew member Larissa Lagzdins (Brock University). "We did struggle in the cross head wind."
The Canadian university lightweight men's four finished sixth overall in 7:20.95. "It was good strong effort by a very young crew with the Polish crew (that ended up fifth) just pulling ahead in the last 200m," said team leader Peter Somerwil. Italy won in 7:00.57.
"Conditions were a strong cross head wind, favoring lanes one and two, with a disadvantage to lanes five and six," added Somerwil.
Yesterday in B finals (for places seven to 12), the lightweight women's single was second (or eighth overall) in 8:05.35; the men's pair was first (or seventh overall) in 6:46.52; the lightweight men's double was first (or seventh overall) in 6:46.52; the men's four was third (or ninth overall) in 6:08.28 and the lightweight men's single was fifth 7:10.06 (to finish 11th overall).