The 2007 FISA World Rowing Under 23 Championships began today in Strathclyde, Scotland, (July 26 to 29).
"Today's race was a positive experience," said Chris Aylard, who won a gold in this event last year. "It gave us a chance to see what we are up against. We didn't see our full speed today, so once we work a few things out tomorrow, we should be back to where we want to be."
The men's eight is Will Crothers (Kingston, Ont.), Max Lang (Lumby, B.C.), Matt Evans (London, UK.), Jan Tize (West Vancouver, B.C.), Doug Csima (Oakville, Ont.), Chris Aylard (Victoria, B.C.), Geoffrey Roth (Edmonton, Alta.), Stephen Connolly (Shawnigan Lake, BC), and coxswain Mark Laidlaw (Mississauga, Ont.)
The men's pair of Michael Wilkinson (North Vancouver, BC.) and Christian Dabrowski (Montreal, Que.) was fifth in a heat in 7:05.85 and will row in a rep.
Fraser Berkhout of St. Catharines, Ont., rowing in the U23 men's single, was beaten by a single from Lithuania and will also row in a rep.
The under-23 lightweight men's four ended up fourth in 6:29.12 in its heat, and must row in the rep. Members of this crew are Tim Myers (Penticton, BC), Nick Pratt (Kingston, Ont.), Josh Metcalfe (Walkerton, Ont.), and Kurtis Boyd (Elizabethtown, Ont.).
The lightweight men's single of Tim Colson of London, Ont. was second in his heat in 7:24.92. and moves to the rep.
"I was in the lead until the 1000 metre mark, then I dropped the rate and couldn't get it back - the German boat in the far lane came through me and once I realized what happened it was too late," said Colson. "I look forward to having another shot at him later in the week."
Canada has six crews in Scotland. The women's eight event has yet to begin racing.
Today in Strathclyde, there was cross-head wind that was a bit challenging for crews.