Heavy rain and lightening greeted the world’s best rowers this morning in Seville, Spain at the 2002 FISA World Rowing Championships (Sept. 15 to 22). Due to the severe conditions, Monday-morning heats were postponed until 2:30 CET.
The weather improved in the afternoon and the early rain didn't dampen the winning ways of Canada's men's eight or lightweight men's four. The four of Iain Brambell of Brentwood Bay, B.C., Jon Mandick of Edmonton, Alta., Gavin Hassett of Victoria, B.C., and Doug Vandor of Dewittville, Que. won its heat in 6:08.18, and advances to the semi-finals.
"Anytime we can put an Olympic champion (France) behind us it's a good race," said Iain Brambell, "but our best is still yet to come." France finished second, followed by Great Britain, Switzerland and Japan.
"The four looked a bit tight and excited at first, but once they relaxed they were back in form," said lightweight coach Terry Paul. The Canadians have yet to face the strong Dutch lightweight rowers, who won their heat in a time of 6:11.76 in the four event, at this Worlds.
In the final race of the day, the Canadian men's eight beat Italy, Germany, Croatia, Russia and Poland to advance directly to the medal round. Canada's time, in windy conditions, was 5:25.66.
"We had a fairly good start - we knew that Germany was going to be fast, but we weren't expecting the Italians to be right beside us," said men's eight cox, Brian Price. "It was a tricky wind on the course, but we executed our moves properly and relaxed a bit at the finish. Overall, we're happy with the race, but we'll need to perform even better to win on Sunday."
Members of the men's eight are Brian Price of Belleville, Ont. (coxswain), Kevin Light of Sidney, B.C., Joe Stankevicius of Dundas, Ont., Andrew Hoskins of Edmonton, Alta., Adam Kreek of London, Ont., Jeff Powell of Winnipeg, Man., Ben Rutledge of Cranbrook, B.C., Kyle Hamilton of Richmond, B.C. and Matt Swick of St. Catharines, Ont.
The lightweight women's double of Fiona Milne of Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont and Shona McLaren of Victoria, B.C. also had a strong race, finishing second to the powerful German double.
"We put some good pressure on the Germans - I think we gave them a bit of a scare," said McLaren. The lightweight double finished more than 10 seconds back of the Germans at an earlier regatta in Lucerne this year. Today the difference was just over two seconds.
The Canadian women's eight held its own against rowing powerhouses Australia and Romania to finish second in this afternoon's heat. Australia was first in 6:04.38, followed closely by Canada in 6:05.72 and Romania finished in third in 6:06.23. Canada will row in the repechage for the chance to make the weekend finals.
Members of the women's eight are Sarah Pape of Toronto, Ont., Pauline VanRoessel of Bow Island, Alta., Dorota Urbaniak of Toronto, Ont., Rachelle deJong of Regina, Sask., Darcy Marquardt of Richmond, B.C., Katy Dunnet of Vancouver, B.C., Jacqui Cook of Burlington, Ont., Karen Clark of Delta, B.C. and Roslyn MacLeod of Burlington, Ont.
The lightweight men's pair of Jon Beare of Toronto, Ont. and Chris Davidson of Oakville, Ont. also finished second. The pair's time was 6:49.29, approximately four seconds behind the British crew. They will row in the repechage for a chance to make the semi-finals.
Matt McCarthy of Peterborough, Ont. and Brent Borbridge of Winnipeg, Man., rowing in the lightweight men's double, were sixth in their heat and will also have to row in a repechage.
Photos available on request.
Canadian Results (in order of racing) - Sept. 16/02 FISA World Rowing Championships - Seville, Spain
Lightweight men's pair 1. GBR 06:45.16 2. CAN 06:49.29 3. ROM 06:57.97 4. GUA 06:58.69 5. MEX 07:18.97
Lightweight women's double 1. GER 07:12.88 2. CAN 07:15.19 3. FRA 07:23.31 4. CUB 07:28.00 5. ZIM 07:29.83 6. AUT 07:29.84
Lightweight men's double 1. AUS 06:35.30 2. DEN 06:37.25 3. ESP 06:43.70 4. NED 06:45.55 5. FRA 06:47.49 6. CAN 06:50.74
Lightweight men's four 1. CAN 06:08.18 2. FRA 06:09.62 3. GBR 06:11.93 4. SUI 06:17.21 5. JPN 06:19.60
Women's eight 1. AUS 06:04.38 2. CAN 06:05.72 3. ROM 06:06.23
Men's eight 1. CAN 05:25.66 2. ITA 05:26.53 3. GER 05:28.10 4. CRO 05:34.40 5. RUS 05:39.24 6. POL 05:42.10 --
Jackie Skender - Rowing Canada Aviron
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