The 2008 World Rowing Championships began today in Linz/Ottensheim, Austria, to showcase rowing boat-classes that will not be raced at the Olympic Games.

In the lightweight women's single, Lindsay Jennerich of Victoria dominated her heat in 7:55.67; Great Britain's Mathilde Pauls was second in 7:59.07 in this race, with the top two boats moving to the semi. Jennerich has had a successful season so far, winning gold in both the Lucerne and Poznan (Poland) World Cups.

The men's coxed pair - Gabe Bergen of 100 Mile House, B.C., James Dunaway of Duncan, BC and Mark Laidlaw of Mississauga, Ont. - also won today's heat in 7:04.05; they overtook Italy early on and the Italians ended up second 7:06.08 and the Ukraine third in 7:06.69 with top three moving to the semis.

"The pair rowed well and were happy with their race," said the pair's coach, Allison Dobb.

The women's four was second in its heat in 6:46.36. Belarus won the heat in 6:40.26 to advance, while Canada must row in a repechage in order to move forward.

The four is Emma Darling of Vancouver, B.C. Sarah Waterfield of Kingston, Ont., Nathalie Maurer of North Vancouver, B.C. and Cristin McCarty of Saskatoon, Sask.

"They will have a good opportunity to hit their stride in the repechage tomorrow," said coach Michelle Darvill.

In the lightweight men's eight, Canada was third in its heat in 5:50.42. The U.S. advanced directly to the A final in 5:43.77. The eight will have another chance to advance in a rep.

The regatta, which also includes Junior events (no Canadian entries), continues to July 27 (senior finals).