The 2010 World Rowing Junior Championships began today in Racice, Czech Republic.
The first race of the day for Canada was the Junior women's quad. The top crew from the heat advanced directly to the final (Germany in 7:03.99), with Canada in second in 7:17.97. The quad's next race is a rep. Crew members are Renae Barks (Regina Rowing Club), Kayla Wakulich (South Niagara Rowing Club), Marissa Kump (St. Catharines), and Erin Snelgrove (St. Catharines Rowing Club).
Canada has three crews at this competition. In today's heat, the Canadian junior men's eight had a great start, leading Germany and the US to the 1000m mark. Canada held on to second through the 1500, then fell to third by the 2000m finish (in 6:03.06). Only the top boat advanced to the A final with the rest going to reps of this event.
The eight is Trofym Anderson (South Niagara Rowing Club), Coleman Bak (Brockville Rowing Club), Spencer Freeman (Calgary Rowing Club), Jamie Law-Smith (Montreal Rowing Club/Dawson College), Quinten Richardson (Shawnigan Lake School), Steven Marino (St. George's School), Christopher Marshall (Brockville Rowing Club), Pat O'Shaughnessy-Hunter (Brockville Rowing Club), and Ryan Sanders (St. Catharines Rowing Club)
The Canadian Junior men's quad was sixth in today's heat in 7:00.31. The quad is Martin Barakso (Brentwood College School), Sash Malowany (Upper Canada College), Eric Jackson (Brentwood College School), and Tyler Young (St John's Rowing Club)
"The athletes were very excited to get to racing," said Chuck McDiarmid, Rowing Canada High Performance Development Coordinator. "Over the last few days we have seen the speed of the crews increase, making the coaches happy with their preparation."
Today's racing saw athletes from 49 countries compete in heats. The competition continues to Sunday, August 8.