July 29, 2001
The Canadian under-23 men's eight won gold today at the Under-23 World Championships (Nations Cup) in Linz, Austria.
"There's not a sweeter feeling in the world," said the under-23 men's eight coach, Tony Carr of Victoria, B.C. "They executed the whole race as close to perfect as you can get."
The Canadian crew (5:44.22) beat the U.S. (5:45.70) by about a quarter of a boat length to win today's final. Members of the Canadian under-23 men's eight are Wayne Pommen of Victoria, B.C., Neil Armour of Vancouver, B.C., Adam Kreek of London, Ont., David Kay of Peterborough, Ont., Bradley Burns of St. Catharines, Ont., Peter Dembicki of West Vancouver, B.C., Brent Carpenter of St. Catharines, Scott Frandsen of Kelowna, B.C., and Adam McNeill (cox) of Peterborough.
"We had a good start," said Scott Frandsen, 21, stroke of the men's eight. "There was good rhythm and we moved at the 400-metre mark and then at the 750 and the 1000. We were relaxed and we had a great race."
"They raced exactly as planned," said Canadian National Team Head Coach Brian Richardson. "They learned from each race leading up to the final and put it all together today. This result is very promising for Canada's development program."
Canada's second entry in the Nations Cup - the lightweight men's four of Dave Stephens of Belleville, Ont., Ruarai Carthew of Yellowknife, N.W.T., Michael Lewis of Victoria, B.C. and Jeff Bujas of St. Catharines, Ont. - was fifth in its final race today.
Rowers from 38 countries competed in the Nations Cup - the annual international regatta for the under-23 age group. It is recognized by FISA, the international rowing federation, as the official world under-23 regatta. The FISA World Championships for Senior A crews will be held this year in Lucerne, Switzerland, in late August.
Canadian Results
Nations Cup - Sunday
Men's eight (HM 8+):
1. CAN 5:44.22
2. USA 5:45.70
3. POL 5:47.67
4. AUS 5:47.76
5. GER 5:52.87
6. CRO 5:52.91
Men's lwt four (LM 4-):
1. GER 6:10.94
2. IRL 6:14.94
3. AUS 6:15.52
4. FRA 6:16.24
5. CAN 6:17.92
6. ITA 6:28.96
***
Rowing Canada Aviron acknowledges the National Sports Centre, Ontario, for
its financial support of the Under-23 Coaching Program.
***
Jackie Skender - Rowing Canada Aviron
office: 519.661.4234
cell: 519.641.9490