Canada's women's eight locked up a position in final of the World Rowing Championships (Oct. 31 to Nov. 07) this coming weekend after winning its heat today.
"It's always good to get that first race of the regatta out of the way and secure that spot in the A final," said Lesley Thompson-Willie, who speaks from the perspective of more than 30 years international racing experience. "It's an experienced eight... A lot of strong new people in the mix with experienced Olympic veterans."
The eight is Lesley Thompson-Willie (cox) (London, ON), Andreanne Morin (Montreal, QC), Darcy Marquardt (Richmond, BC), Ashley Brzozowicz (London, ON), Krista Guloien (Port Moody, BC), Rachelle de Jong (Regina, SK), Janine Hanson (Winnipeg, MB), Cristy Nurse (Georgetown, ON) and Emma Darling (Vancouver, BC).
Canada led throughout the race and finished first in 6:01.72, with Romania also qualifying in 6:04.05. The U.S. (6:00.52) and Great Britain (6:05.38) qualified from the other heat. A rep will decide the other two spots for Sunday's final.
"It was great to get that first race under our belts," said Janine Hanson, a 2008 Olympian. "We hadn't had a chance to race against Romania this year, so it was nice to see where we stood there.... In the final we'll meet them again, and of course the U.S., and it will be a really good chance to show everyone what we've been training for."
The Canadian men's eight finished fourth in today's heat, and will have to race in the rep to qualify for the Sunday medal race. Canada's time today was 5:29.61. The heat was a crowd favourite with New Zealand leading through the middle of the race, only to be overtaken by the Germans near the 2000 metre mark. Germany moves directly to the final after winning the heat in 5:24.62; Great Britain also advances to the final after winning the second heat in 5:25.34.
The men's eight is cox Mark Laidlaw (Mississauga, ON), Derek O'Farrell (Unionville, ON), Rob Gibson (Kingston, ON), Conlin McCabe (Brockville, ON), Andrew Byrnes (Toronto, ON), Doug Csima (Oakville, ON), David Calder (Victoria, BC), Will Crothers (Kingston, ON) and Anthony Jacob (Vancouver, BC).
The light men's pair of Matt Jensen of Innerkip, Ont. and Rares Crisan of Mississauga Ont. was second in its rep this morning and move to the A Final. Italy won the rep in 6:34.77, with Canada taking the second qualifying spot from this rep in 6:34.81.
"After a bit of a rough start to the regatta, it's a a relief to get going in a better direction," said Crisan, who picked up a bronze with Jensen in this event at a World Cup earlier this year. "We had a shaky start today, but just stayed composed and rowed back up to the Italians. The water started to come up in the last 500 metres and though things could have gone better, we put ourselves into the A final."
In the men's single event, Malcolm Howard - a 2008 gold medalist in the men's eight - was fourth in his rep (7:17.13), and will not row in the final here in New Zealand. Germany and Sweden move forward from this rep.
The lightweight four of Mike Lewis (Victoria, BC), Terry McKall (Edmonton, AB), Morgan Jarvis (Winnipeg, MB) and Tim Myers (Penticton, BC) failed to take charge early in their rep and despite gaining some speed in the last part of the race, they ending up fourth in 6:06.97. Only the top three boats - Denmark, France and Japan from this rep - advance to the semi-finals.
"The guys just struggled to convert the speed that they have demonstrated in training to the race course here in New Zealand," said the lightweight men's four coach, Terry Paul.
Tomorrow's program (Nov. 03) includes six Canadian races.
See www.worldrowing.com for results, reports and schedules.