All of Canada's entries came out on top today in the heats of the FISU World University Rowing Championships (August 22 to 24) at the Nottingham Water Sports Centre in England.
Jane Rumball of Fredericton, N.B. won her women's single heat convincingly in a time of 7:56.27 over Australian and Russian entries. Rumball, then with Laura Middleton of Toronto, Ont., also won in the women's double in a time of 7:30.30. The closest boat was second-place Ireland in 7:46.48.
The women's four of Emily Boyle of Port Elgin, Ont., Bonnie Fiala of Enderby, B.C, Emily Poupart of Chicoutimi, Que., and Nicole Borges of Mississauga, Ont. beat out crews from Poland, Australia, New Zealand and Norway to win their preliminary race today. Canada’s time was 7:27.98. The Canadian women’s coach is Laryssa Biesenthal of Walkerton, Ont.
The Canadian men's eight won its heat by more than 17 seconds in 5:58.60 - a huge margin in any rowing event - over France, Croatia, China and Chinese Taipei. The Canadian men are coached by Mike Pearce of Vancouver, B.C.
The first-place finishers in today’s heats go directly to the finals for a chance at medals. Racing continues tomorrow and Saturday.
The FISU World University Rowing Championships were first held in 1984, and rowing was also included in the 1987, 1989 and 1993 Universiades. Competitors must be a student officially registered for and pursuing a full- time course of study of a university or similar institute whose status is recognized by the appropriate national academic authority of their country, or be a former student of the institution who has obtained his/ her degree or diploma in the year 2001.
Canadian Results - FISU World University Rowing Championships Heats (2000 metres)
Women's single 1. CAN 7:56.27 (Rumball) 2. AUS 8:12.93 3. RUS 8:15.96
Women's double 1. CAN 7:30.30 (Rumball, Middleton) 2. IRL 7:46.48 3. GBR 7:48.86 4. UKR 8:19.44
Women's four 1. CAN 7:27.98 (Boyle, Fiala, Poupart, Borges) 2. POL 7:31.32 3. AUS 7:40.34 4. NZL 7:45.51 5. NOR 8:17.67
Men's eight 1. CAN 5:58.60 (David Kay, Geoff Hodgson, Graeme Hill, James Farris, Robert Weitemeyer, Ryan Slate, Liam Parsons, Eric Oinonen, Victoria Agate- cox) 2. FRA 6:16.30 3. CRO 6:25.48 4. CHN 6:29.96 5. CTA 6:31.58
Results from: http://www.festivalofrowing.co.uk/
-- Jackie Skender - Rowing Canada Aviron