The seven Canadian crews that raced today at the World Rowing Championships (Aug. 20 to 27) in Eton, England, will all face another round of racing to qualify for the semis and finals.
"The second day of heats proved to be a mixed day for Canada," said Rowing Canada Aviron High Performance Director Alan Roaf. "There's always a lot of learning that goes on in the early stages of the World Championships and all our crews will have a second chance in the reps."
Canada's lightweight men's four had a strong race, finishing with the second-best time today in their event. However, with only one boat moving forward from the Canadians' heat, Germany got the edge to finish in 5:55.77, with Canada in 5:55.99.
"We weren't as strong as we needed to be off the start," said Mike Lewis of Victoria, B.C. "But we've been working on our sprints and that is paying off. Our race was fast and our time was good. We know where we need to improve."
The other members of the lightweight four are John Sasi of North Delta, B.C., Liam Parsons of Thunder Bay, Ont. and two-time Olympian Iain Brambell of Victoria, B.C.
Canada's men's eight also just missed out on qualifying for the semis today, and will row in a repechage on Wednesday. The U.S. took the heat in 5:29.57, with Poland also qualifying in 5:31.55 and Canada just in third in 5:32.04.
This year's men's eight consists of Robert Weitemeyer of Coquitlam, B.C., Pete Dembicki of West Vancouver, B.C., Gabe Bergen of 100 Mile House, B.C., Chris Jarvis of St. Catharines, Ont., Adam Kreek of London, Ont., Jamie Faris of Fort Saskatchewan, Alta., Andrew Ireland of Hamilton, Ont., Kristopher McDaniel of Cobble Hill, B.C. and Brian Price of Belleville, Ont.
Only Brian Price, the coxswain, and Adam Kreek were part of the 2004 Olympic men's eight.
"It's a solid mix of veterans and younger guys, but the rookies aren't rookies anymore after today's race," said men's eight coach Howie Campbell.
"They are going to use the rep as another chance to get it right. They all say they have another gear, so the confidence is there, and none of the other countries are untouchable. The fun starts now."
The women's eight, also a mix of newer and veteran rowers, had a respectable finish, coming in fourth in a time of 6:10.61. Australia won the heat, and the U.S. boat advances from the other heat.
Members of the eight are Sarah Bonikowsky of Orangeville, Ont., Sabrina Kolker of West Vancouver, B.C., Heather Mandoli of Kelowna, B.C., Andreanne Morin of Montreal, Que., Romina Stefancic of Victoria, B.C., Kaylan Vander Schilden of Victoria, B.C., Katie Reynolds of St. John, N.B., Ashley Brzozowicz of Toronto, Ont. and (coxswain) Lesley Thompson-Willie of London, Ont.
The lightweight women's double of Mara Jones of Aurora, Ont. and Tracy Cameron of Shubenacadie, N.S. - winners of their event at this year's Lucerne World Cup - finished an unexpected third in their heat in 7:07.5. Australia (7:03.11) was the first and only crew to advance from this heat.
"They went hard, but not together," said coach Laryssa Biesenthal. "They rowed as if they were in two singles. It's good that it was heat because they've proven that they can race well together this year."
The lightweight men's double - Matt Jensen of Innerkip, Ont. and Doug Vandor of Dewittville, Que. - were also third, with the top two boats (Greece and Japan) moving forward to the semi finals.
The lightweight women's quad was third in 6:45.7, and will also row in the repechage. Members of this boat are Jennifer Hogsden of Waterdown, Ont., Amber Cuthbertson of Harrowsmith, Ont., Sheryl Preston of North Delta, B.C., and Melanie Kok of St. Catharines, Ont.
Anna-Marie DeZwager of Victoria, B.C., Zoe Hoskins of Edmonton, Alta., Rachelle de Jong of Regina, Sask., and Peggy Hyslop of Kamloops, B.C. were fourth in 6:39.72 in the heavyweight women's quad event.
Racers continue to battle breezy and changeable conditions on Dorney Lake. The focus of the next two days will be repechage races, followed by the semi-finals and the finals for medals on the weekend.
Aug. 21, 2006
Canadian Results Heats (2000m)
World Rowing Championships
Lightweight women's quad
1 GBR 6:38.21
2 USA 6:44.17
3 CAN 6:45.70
Lightweight women's double
1 AUS 7:03.11
2 ESP 7:06.55
3 CAN 7:07.50
4 UZB 7:44.57
5 EGY 7:55.84
Lightweight men's double
1 GRE 6:23.42
2 JPN 6:23.47
3 CAN 6:25.43
4 CUB 6:28.93
5 POR 6:38.67
Lightweight men's four
1 GER 5:55.77
2 CAN 5:55.99
3 RSA 5:59.33
4 USA 6:00.83
5 EGY 6:05.37
Women's quad
1 GBR 6:19.92
2 RUS 6:20.99
3 USA 6:30.95
4 CAN 6:39.72
Women's eight
1 AUS 6:05.00
2 GER 6:06.06
3 ROM 6:08.07
4 CAN 6:10.61
5 NZL 6:12.81
Men's eight
1 USA 5:29.57
2 POL 5:31.55
3 CAN 5:32.04
4 SUI 5:33.94
5 RUS 5:38.44