Canada women's eight moves to finals, while Canada's men's eight advances to the semis after early morning reps today in Eton, England, at the World Rowing Championships.
The men's eight won its rep in 5:33.84, ahead of Romania and France, who will also move forward.
"We established an early lead, we got out and we were in synch. It felt really good," said Andrew Ireland, who won a bronze medal last year in the men's four. "It was more refined than in the heat and we feel we still have another gear."
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. make up the 2006 men's eight.
The women's eight was second in 6:10.26 in its rep after first-place Germany (6:05.57) - the top two boats from this rep row for medals on Sunday.
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.
"We were down, but we edged back," said Sabrina Kolker, who slid off her seat in the early stage of the race. "It was in the first 500 metres, but I just got back and stayed as calm as possible."
Sarah Bonikowsky, a recent UVic grad, sits in the bow seat behind Kolker in the boat. "Once she got back on her seat, we were relaxed. It's difficult to say what's the best thing to do in that situation, but I had no choice but to relax."
The men's pair also advanced after their semi today. Kevin Light of Sidney, B.C. and Malcolm Howard of Victoria were sixth after 500 metres, moved to fourth by the 1000 metre mark, but made it to third by the finish (2000 metres) in 6:25.52. Great Britain and Australia also advance to the A final from this semi.
"The pair typically have a slow start," said men's coach Mike Spracklen. "That's something we've worked on since Munich (where the pair picked up a silver medal)."
The Canadian men's four was in one of the most-anticipated races of the day facing the World Champions and favourites from Great Britain. Canada had a good start, but slipped to fourth by the end of the race (5:55.55). Great Britain won in 5:49.94, Germany and Slovenia also advance from this semi. The other semi saw a photo finish and tie for third place between the U.S. and New Zealand. France won this semi in 5:50.55, with the Netherlands (5:50.85) also advancing and the two boats in third place at 5:51.24. The U.S. later won the final qualifying spot in a re-row later in the afternoon.
The Canadian four of Scott Frandsen of Kelowna, B.C., Kyle Hamilton of Richmond, B.C., Ben Rutledge of Cranbrook, B.C. and Barney Williams of Salt Spring Island, B.C. will now row in the B final. Both Frandsen and Williams are familiar to the British rowing fans as part of past winning Oxford University crews, and Williams was a member of Canada's silver-medal men's four at the 2004 Olympics.
Canada's lightweight men's single of Jeff Bujas of Grimbsby, Ont. also went out of medal contention today after finishing fifth in 7:03.82 in the semi-final.
Conditions are still cool with a tail wind on the course today. Racing continues on Dorney Lake tomorrow through to Sunday's men's eight final.
Aug. 22, 2006
Canadian Results (2000m)
World Rowing Championships
Women's eight rep (top two to final)
1 GER 6:05.57
2 CAN 6:10.26
3 GBR 6:14.87
4 FRA 6:15.55
5 RUS 6:15.56
Men's eight rep (top three to semi)
1 CAN 5:33.84
2 ROM 5:36.22
3 FRA 5:36.48
4 NED 5:39.38
5 CRO 5:42.46
Lightweight men's single semi (top three to final)
1 GBR 6:56.72
2 GRE 6:58.56
3 NZL 7:00.21
4 GER 7:03.21
5 CAN 7:03.82
6 GUA 7:11.19
Men's pair semi (top three to final)
1 AUS 6:22.87
2 GBR 6:23.87
3 CAN 6:25.52
4 SCG 6:34.21
5 ITA 6:36.30
Men's four semi (top three to final)
1 GBR 5:49.94
2 GER 5:50.55
3 SLO 5:53.02
4 CAN 5:55.55
5 IRL 5:59.13