Canada's lightweight women's and men's doubles, and the women's pair, will get a chance to race for the medals at the World Rowing Championships (Oct. 31 to Nov. 07) this week.
The lightweight women's double got off to a commanding start in today's semi and stayed there throughout to win in 7:40.93. Tracy Cameron of Shubenacadie, NS, and Lindsay Jennerich of Victoria, BC, now advance to the final. Australia (7:44.02) and Germany (7:45.19) also move to the medal round, and these crews will be racing against Great Britain, Greece and New Zealand, who advanced from the other semi.
"Our semi unfolded as we expected, especially the top three, but there are some crews, such as New Zealand who are taking inspiration from rowing at home, who can come up in the final," said veteran racer Jennerich. "The A final is going to be competitive and entertaining."
The women's pair of Andreanne Morin (Montreal, QC) and Krista Guloien (Port Moody, BC) also advance to the A final after a second-place finish in the rep today. The Australian women's pair won the rep in 7:35.74, as the Canadians were overtaken in the final stage of the race to finish in 7:37.85 at the 2000-metre mark
"It was very challenging knowing that we already had two races under our belt, and no day of rest yet," said Morin, who is also part of the Canadian women's eight that won its heat yesterday. "But we set out with guns blazing, and planned to take the lead and maintain it. Unfortunately, the Australians crept up on us at the end, but we got the job done and are in the final."
The lightweight men's double - Cam Sylvester (Caledon, ON) and Doug Vandor (Dewittville, QC) - also led throughout the race, just to be edged out by China (6:54.81) and Italy (6:56.68) in the final moments of the race. Canada finished in 6:58.45, and qualify for the finals.
"There was a rough wind at the start; the lake was choppy," Sylvester said of the headwind conditions. "But we found our rhythm through the middle, only to lose some of the momentum just near the end of the race.... The event is so competitive - we can't take anything for granted, but the final is our race to lose."
Jane Rumball (Fredericton, NB), Isolda Penney (Kingston, ON), Peggy DeVos (Kamloops, BC) and Emily Cameron (Summerside, PEI) put a valiant effort into the women's quad rep today, but finished third and do not qualify for the A final. The U.S. took charge of this race to finish in 6:42.77, followed by the Germans (6:47.00), and then the Canadians in 6:52.21 - top two move to the A final, and the rest of the field goes to the B final.
Sheryl Preston of North Delta, BC, had a late charge in her lightweight women's single race today, but narrowly missed making the A final. Brazil won the rep in 8:01.92, followed by the U.S. in 8:08.45 and closely behind was Preston in 8:08.93 - top two advanced.
The Canadian men's four struggled today, finishing fifth in the rep in 6:27.96, and therefore this boat will not appear in the A final. The crew - Kevin Light (Sidney, BC), Fraser Berkhout (St. Catharines, ON), Gabe Bergen (100 Mile House, BC), and Steve Van Knotsenburg (Beamsville, ON) - will row in the B final for places seven to 12.
Tomorrow (Nov. 04) sees Canada's first chance at a medal in the LTA4+ crew, which is a Paralympic category of rowing. This crew set a World's Best time earlier this week in its heat.