Beautifully calm water greeted the first round of adaptive rowing competition in Eton, England, today at the World Rowing Championships.
Shira Golden of Vancouver, B.C., rowing in the arms-only single event, was second in her heat in 6:59.63 (1000 metres). Helene Raynsford of Great Britain won the heat in 6:55.06 and moves directly to the finals. Golden, who has also played wheelchair basketball at the national level, will row in a rep to qualify for the medal race.
"It was great to get that first race done," said Golden, who trains out of the Vancouver Rowing Club. "We train on the ocean, so we are prepared for rough conditions, but today it was ideal."
Jeff Standfield, also of Vancouver, was second in 6:02.79 in the mens single, with Dominic Monypenny of Australia, last year's World Champion, in first in 5:36.67. The Australian moves directly to the final.
"We didn't know what to expect from the competition, but I know that America (in the other heat) and Australia are obviously very strong - I'll be gunning for them," said Stanfield.
Tony Theriault of Victoria, B.C., Karen Van Nest of Mississauga, Ont., Meghan Montgomery of Winnipeg, Man., John Moorcroft of Mississauga, Ont., and coxswain Emma Ferguson of Victoria were also second in the mixed coxed four adaptive event. Great Britain took the race in 3:41.97, with Canada clocking a time of 3:43.29. They will row in a repechage tomorrow.
"Our race wasn't perfect, but we are feeling good about our chances," said Theriault. "We seem to get better with time, so one more row is only a positive."
In the mixed adaptive doubles, Caitlin Renneson of Ottawa, Ont. and Wilfredo (Papito) More Wilson of Toronto, Ont. were also second. Their time was 4:38.49, with Poland winning the heat in 4:31.34.
"These are strong results," said National Adaptive Team Coordinator Allison Sheard. "The double and the four don't get the opportunity to train together a lot, so an extra race is a good opportunity for these crews. The second-place finishes set us up nicely - I believe all the crews have medal potential."
Adaptive rowing for people with disabilities is in its first Paralympic cycle after being accepted in the program for Beijing in 2008.