Today Canada's men's eight proved that it is a dominant force -- winning its second World Championship in a row. The eight had a spectacular race that followed Canada's women's eight crew's bronze-medal performance at Milan, Italy’s Idroscalo course.
Last year the men's win may have taken the rowing world by surprise, but this year Canada was the crew to beat. The eight rose to the occasion, winning the heat and semi-final leading up to today's exciting final.
"It has brought tears to my eyes twice now," said veteran coach Mike Spracklen, head of Canada's men's program. "It's like nothing I've ever experienced before."
Canada was first in 6:00.44, followed by the U.S. in 6:01.46 and Great Britain in 6:03.45.
"It wasn't until the last 100 metres that I knew we had it," said Canadian crew member Kyle Hamilton. "I thought we had a good shot, and we made our move, but I knew it was going to be bloody tough."
Times were slow today due to headwind conditions - last year's winning time was 5:26.92.
"It's even more satisfying than last year," said two-time World Champion Joe Stankevicius. "And if all goes well, we are going to do it again next year at the Olympics."
Canadian crew members are Joe Stankevicius of Dundas, Ont., Kevin Light of Sidney, B.C., Ben Rutledge of Cranbrook, B.C., Kyle Hamilton of Richmond, B.C., Dave Calder of Victoria, B.C., Andrew Hoskins of Edmonton, Alta., Adam Kreek of London, Ont., Jeff Powell of Winnipeg, Man. and Brian Price of Belleville, Ont. (cox)
"Canada is going to Athens with a real attitude," Andrew Hoskins told the fans - including many Canadians who made the trip to Milan - after the race. "It's going to be great."
Just before the men’s race, the Canadian women's eight picked up a bronze, and qualified its boat for the Olympic Games (top five qualified in the women’s event).
"This week there have been so many unexpected results," said crew member Pauline Van Roessel, "but we knew we were in the hunt. And winning a medal and qualifying for the Olympics is a great way to finish off the season.”
Germany was first in 6:41.23, followed by Romania in 6:44.63 and Canada in 6:45.53. The U.S. boat, the gold medal winner last year, was fifth.
Canada was not among the favorites to medal in this event today. "The crew is the least surprised at this result," said women's coach Al Morrow. "They believed in themselves and to see them make it happen and get a bronze medal is very exciting." Last year the women's eight was sixth in the World.
The women's eight is Roslyn McLeod of Burlington, Ont., Pauline Van Roessel of Bow Island, Alta., Jacqui Cook of Burlington, Ont., Karen Clark of Delta, B.C., Rachel Dunnet of West Vancouver, B.C., Andreanne Morin of Montreal, Que., Darcy Marquardt of Richmond, B.C., Buffy Williams of St. Catharines, Ont. and Sarah Pape of Toronto (cox).
Canada's lightweights fought hard, but finished out of the medals today at the Worlds. Both the lightweight women's double and lightweight men's four were fifth overall in their very competitive events. Both boats, however, qualified for the Olympics next year.
The lightweight men's four consists of Gavin Hassett, Jon Mandick, both of Victoria, Jon Beare of Toronto, Ont. and Doug Vandor of Dewittville, Que. The lightweight women's double is Shona McLaren of Victoria and Mara Jones of Aurora, Ont.
Overall, Canada won three golds and two bronze at the 2003 Worlds.
“It was more than just our win today,” said the men’s eight’s Andrew Hoskins. “It’s the Canadian program - there is a winning spirit and it’s contagious.”
The next step for Canada's rowers is the Olympic Rowing Trials, which will be held in Victoria, B.C. in late November.