Canada's lightweight women's double and lightweight men's four proved they belong among the best in these very competitive Olympic boat classes today at the World Rowing Championships in Eton, England.
Mara Jones of Aurora, Ont. and Tracy Cameron of Shubenacadie, N.S. - the lightweight women's double - were second in 7:14.15. China took first in 7:11.61 and Greece was the final qualifier in third place at 7:15.70. Australia, Finland and Great Britain move forward to the final from the other semi to race for medals on Sunday.
Although this World Championship has been plagued by cool weather and windy conditions, the course was much improved this morning and water was ideal for racing.
"We are prepared for all conditions, but it was really nice to race in great water today," said Mara Jones, who rowed in this event in the 2004 Olympics, missing out on the finals. It was a solid race today. Having had three races leading up to the final prepares us better. Now we know what we have to do and that's to get across the finish line first."
The lightweight men's four had another gutsy race, getting off to a great start, taking charge of most of the semi and finishing a close second to China in 6.11.13. China made it through in 6:10.8, with Australia in third in 6:13.5. The Canadians will now face these crews, plus France, Great Britain and Ireland in the final on Sunday.
"We hadn't been putting together a full race in the heat and the rep," said Liam Parsons of Thunder Bay, Ont. "We got off to a good start here and we kept pushing once we set a pace at around the 500-metre mark. I try not to look over at other boats during the race, but I did take a peek and I knew we were in a good position. We did well today, but we can still row better in the last 500."
Parsons rows with John Sasi of North Delta, B.C., Mike Lewis of Victoria, B.C. and National Team veteran Iain Brambell of Victoria. The lightweight four is coached by Bent Jensen, formerly the coach of Denmark's lightweight men's four, a boat that had much success in the past.
Although there was some success for Canada today, there were also two close finishes that relegated crews to the B final.
The men's eight semi was an exciting affair with Canada holding on to a qualifying position for most of the race, but slipping to fourth in the final stages. Australia won the semi in 5:47.8, followed by Great Britain in 5:49.9, then Poland, who edged out Canada (5:50.50) by .03 of a second in 5:50.47.
The lightweight men's double also had a close semi-final. With only two boats to advance, Canada was third in 6:31.57. Australia took this semi in 6:29.7 with Germany in second in 6:30.09. Matt Jensen of Innerkip, Ont. and Doug Vandor of Dewittville, Que. will row in the B final for places seven to 12.
Canada also had four second-place finishes in the adaptive events, and will row in the repechages tomorrow.
Also tomorrow are medal races for Canada in the men's coxed pair, the women's pair and the men's pair events.
Aug. 25, 2006
Canadian Results Semis (2000m)
World Rowing Championships
Lightweight women's double
1 CHN 7:11.61
2 CAN 7:14.15
3 GRE 7:15.70
4 POL 7:16.39
5 GER 7:17.50
6 ESP 7:21.79
Lightweight men's double
1 AUS 6:29.70
2 GER 6:30.09
3 CAN 6:31.57
4 GRE 6:32.31
5 SVK 6:39.17
6 RUS 6:42.69
Lightweight men's four
1 CHN 6:10.80
2 CAN 6:11.13
3 AUS 6:13.50
4 RSA 6:16.73
5 NED 6:16.89
6 ITA 6:17.16
Men's eight
1 AUS 5:47.80
2 GBR 5:49.90
3 POL 5:50.47
4 CAN 5:50.50
5 FRA 5:52.57
6 CHN 5:58.89