Racing began today at the 2009 Rowing World Cup in Lucerne, Switzerland (July 10 to 12).
Canadian crews handled the scenic Rotsee course well - with three boats confidently advancing after today's preliminary races.
"It was a very solid performance from the Canadian crews today," said Rowing Canada's High Performance Director, Peter Cookson. "They have prepared well for this World Cup and tomorrow's semi-finals should be exciting."
The lightweight women's double won its heat in 7:27.20, advancing to the semi-final. Lindsay Jennerich of Victoria, B.C. and Sheryl Preston of North Delta, B.C. are rowing in their second World Cup of the year - they picked up a bronze medal earlier this season in Spain.
The Canadian lightweight men's double also came first - the winning time in the heat was 6:41.14 to advance to tomorrow's semi-final. Doug Vandor of Dewittville, Que. and Cam Sylvester of Caledon, Ont. were also medalists in Spain, where they were second overall in this same event.
In the crew's first international race of the year, Canada won its men's eight heat in 5:44.56. The Canadian boat led all the way down the 2000-metre course and advance directly to the A final. Germany won the other men's eight heat in 5:43.84, also advancing to Sunday's final.
The eight for this regatta is coxswain Mark Laidlaw (Mississauga, ON), Derek O'Farrell (Unionville, ON), Steve VanKnotsenburg (Beamsville, ON), James Dunaway (Duncan, BC), Malcolm Howard (Victoria, BC), Andrew Byrnes (Toronto, ON), Doug Csima (Oakville, ON), Gabe Bergen (100 Mile House, BC) and Rob Gibson (Kingston, ON).
Only Howard and Byrnes were part of the Canadian 2008 Olympic gold medal eight.
Canadian men's single entry and men's eight spare, Fraser Berkhout of St. Catharines, Ont., was third in his heat in 7:26.52, and then third in the repechage in 7:33.22 (only the top two advance to the semi-final) this afternoon.
Racing continues tomorrow and Sunday.
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