Canadian crews made it through another stage of the 2002 Zurich World Cup regatta in Lucerne, Switzerland today. Three boats - the lightweight men's four, men's eight and lightweight women's double - are now ready to race for places on the podium tomorrow after today's exciting semi-finals.
The lightweight men's four had the most convincing performance - winning its semi in 6:02.92 - the top speed in both today's semis in this event. (France won the other semi in 6:06.51). Members of the four are Doug Vandor (Dewittville, Que.), Jon Mandick (Edmonton, Alta.), Iain Brambell (Brentwood Bay, B.C.) and Gavin Hassett (Victoria B.C.). They will face Italy, Great Britain, France, Austria and Germany for the medals.
Lightweight coach Terry Paul said the Canadians were confident throughout the race: "The four got out clean from the start and were patient and focused on their own race. The boat speed was good all the way - it was great."
"The lightweight four was outstanding," agreed Canadian head coach Brian Richardson. "At this stage, they are looking very strong going into the finals."
The Canadian heavyweight men's eight also looked solid, leading at the 1500m mark of its semi-final race, but was just edged out by the U.S. boat in final leg of the 2000m course. Canada’s time was 5:37.03. The Canadians will again face the U.S. and Russia, along with crews from Germany, Romania and Croatia in what promises to be a fast race for medals tomorrow.
"With so many crews here in Lucerne (13 men's eights), this is the best possible pre-World Championship regatta we could have imagined," said men's eight coxswain Brian Price. "We've learned something from every race and there are always things we can fix, and we will try to put everything together tomorrow."
The men's eight members are Andrew Hoskins (Edmonton, Alta.), Kyle Hamilton (Richmond, B.C.), Adam Kreek (London, Ont.), Kevin Light (Sidney, B.C.), Jeff Powell (Winnipeg, Man.), Ben Rutledge (Cranbrook, B.C.), Joe Stankevicius (Dundas, Ont.), Matt Swick (St. Catharines, Ont.) and Brian Price (coxswain, Belleville, Ont.).
The lightweight women's double - a new 2002 Canadian combination of Fiona Milne (Niagara-on-Lake, Ont.) and Shona McLaren (Victoria, B.C.) - also made the finals after finishing third in today's semi in 7:18.70. Although the two qualifying men's crews rowed at British Henley last week, this is the first international race of the year for Milne and McLaren.
"The women are perhaps a little rusty, technically and psychologically, but that's why they are here," said coach Terry Paul. "They are learning (from each race) and hopefully tomorrow they will put together a good race."
The lightweight men's double of Brent Borbridge (Winnipeg, Man.) and Matt McCarthy (Peterborough, Ont.) did not qualify for the medals, but were first in today's C final, finishing 13th overall.
2002 Zurich Rowing World Cup - Lucerne (2000 metres) Canadian semi-finals results
Lightweight men's four (top three to final) CAN 6:02.92 ITA 6:05.80 GBR 6:07.74 POL 6:08.11 ESP 6:17.71 SUI 06:18.56 Heavyweight men's eight (top three to final) USA 5:34.51 CAN 5:37.03 RUS 5:39.06 CHN 5:39.68 ITA 5:45.03 GBR 5:46.34 Lightweight women's double (top three to final) GBR 7:14.63 NED1 7:17.92 CAN 7:18.70 AUS 7:21.62 USA2 7:25.20 POL 7:41.98
Lightweight men's double - C Final (places 13-18) CAN 06:44.68 ESP2 06:45.08 CUB 06:45.36 INA 07:03.09 HKG 07:04.18 SUI2 dns