Two Silver Medals for Canada on the Final Day of Rowing at the Pan Am Games

Oct. 19, 2011 previous day

Canada won a total of eight medals at the 2011 Pan American Games regatta, held in Guzman, Mexico.

The first medal of the day for Canada was a silver in the women's quad. Canada's time was 6:37.68. Argentina won in 6:34.46, and the U.S. took bronze 6:39.36.

The quad is Audra Vair of Creemore, ON, Elizabeth McCord of Toronto, ON, Melanie Kok of St. Catharines, ON, and Isolda Penney of Kingston, ON.

"It was a very strong race and I think we did the best we could today," said Vair, who also won bronze in the women's double (with McCord) at this Pan Am Games. "It's so satisfying. It's the first time I've been to a games like this and to go away with two medals is an elating experience."

The men's eight was also second in 5:41.01, with the U.S. winning in 5:39.32, and Argentina a very close third in 5:41.77.

"The race was kind of bittersweet, we really wanted to go for gold," said Kai Langerfeld, a double Pan Am medalist (another silver in the men's four) who is rowing in his first major international competition. "Overall, it's been an amazing experience - it's not just my first major international regatta, it's also a games - so I've been taking it all in."

The eight is Steven Van Knotsenburg of Beamsville, ON, Peter McClelland of Aurora/King City, ON, Spencer Crowley of Lantzville, BC, Blake Parsons of Toronto, ON, David Wakulich of St. Catharines, ON, Kai Langerfeld of Parksville, BC, Benjamin de Wit of Nakusp, BC, Joshua Morris of Victoria, BC, and coxswain Mark Laidlaw of Mississauga, ON.

"We thought we had it in us to win gold, but overall it was a good effort," said team veteran Steven Van Knotsenburg, also a double medal winner. "It was fun to row with a new group of guys, it keeps it fresh."

Also today, in the B final of the men's single event, Mike Braithwaite of Duncan, B.C. was first, or seventh overall.

Canada's lightweight men's four was fifth overall this morning in 6:13.53. Cuba won in 6:06.06. This crew is Terence McKall of Edmonton, AB, Travis King of Grimsby, ON, Eric Woelfl of St. Catharines, ON, and Derek Vinge of Fernie, BC.

Overall, Canadian rowers bring home three silver and five bronze medals at these games. Canada was tied for second in overall medal count with the U.S. and Argentina. Cuba was first in medal count.

Canada's athletes and coaches return to Canada tomorrow. In addition to the team of athletes, coaches, and support staff - Canada had several officials participating in this regatta.

Three More Medals for Canada at Pan Am Rowing Course

Oct. 18, 2011 Previous day

Canada picked up three more rowing bronze medals today at the Pan Am course in Guzman, Mexico.

In what was the first race and first medal of the day for Canada, Isolda Penney of Kingston, Ont. was third in her women's single final. Despite a lead at the 1500 mark, Penney was overtaken by the U.S. (7:53.05) and Argentina (7:55.55).

"Today's final was not ideal .... The competition here was good and I am very happy to be part of the Pan Am Games experience," Penney said after today's race. Canada's time was 8:06.88.

Men's pair Steven Van Knotsenburg of Beamsville, ON, and Peter McClelland of Aurora/King City, ON, also finished third overall.

"We had a decent start and stayed in the pack," said McClelland. "I felt we did good work through the middle of the course. Steve told me to go and I went for it! I'm proud of the result today."

The U.S. won in 6:47.07, Brazil was second in 6:48.74 and Canada's time was 6:50.80.

"It really started to come together for us as a pair two weeks ago," said Van Knotsenburg, who took a bronze medal in the coxed pair event at this year's World Championships. "And today, even though the conditions were tough, I felt we handled them well. It really helped to have a lot of experience in different boats and rowing conditions. ... The crowd and atmosphere here at Guzman is great. I'm looking forward to racing tomorrow (in the men's eight)."

The Canadian lightweight men's double scull boat of Terry McKall of Edmonton, AB, and Travis King of St. Catharines, ON, was also third in 6:29.27. Mexico put on a show for the home crowd to win gold in 6:24.52, and Cuba edged out Canada to get silver (6:27.07).

"We were moving well in the last 400, and then we hit some bad water and lost an oar, but we recovered and got back in it," said King. "It's great to be able to go home with some hardware and it's motivation to go back and train hard throughout the winter."

This brings the medal count to six for rowing so far, with one more day of finals.

Summary: Three Rowing Medals for Canada at the PanAms

Oct. 17, 2011

Canada picked up three medals - a silver and two bronze - today at the Pan American Games regatta in Guzman, Mexico. There are still two more days of finals to go.

The Canadian men's four had an exciting race to silver.

"We executed our start well - better than in the heat," said Dave Wakulich of St. Catharines, ON. "Argentina, Mexico and Cuba set a great pace, and the U.S. moved after the first 1000m. With 600 to go, we knew what we had to do, and the crew responded to my calls. I'm proud of our guys - they put everything into it.... We are hungry and are going to go for gold in the eight (on Wednesday)."

Argentina won in 6:04.41, Canada's silver-medal time was 6:05.65 and bronze went to Cuba in 6:06.51 - home-country favourites Mexico just missed out, coming fourth in 6:06.59.

This crew is Spencer Crowley of Lantzville, BC, Blake Parsons of Toronto, ON, David Wakulich of St. Catharines, ON, and Kai Langerfeld of Parksville, BC.

The women's pair of Sandra Kisil of Ancaster, ON, and Sarah Bonikowsky of Orangeville, ON, took a bronze in the first race of the morning.

"It was a good race. We had our fastest start yet, and we definitely made some improvements since our first race here," said Bonikowsky, who was part of the women's eight at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. "The competition was strong, but overall this feels awesome and it's something to build on as we head into Nationals in November. This gives us a lot of motivation to take back into training camp."

Argentina won in 7:24.57, followed by the U.S. (7:29.05) and Canada (7:32.74).

The women's team took another bronze in the women's double event. "It was a fight the whole way down the course. We gave it our all. We knew it was going to be a tight race, and a good chase at the finish," said Elizabeth (Buzzy) McCord of Toronto, ON.

Cuba won in 7:13.76, followed by the U.S. in 7:14.34 and Canada in 7:16.29.

"It feels wonderful. We've worked really hard in training. Buzzy is a great partner and we work together very well. In this race, we were definitely a crew, not two rowers out there. Buzzy called a good race and I responded. We are amped for the quad (their next event)," said women's double crew member Audra Vair of Creemore, ON.

The men's double - with Michael Braithwaite of Duncan, BC, (who took the place of injured Steven Payne) and Eric Bevan of North Vancouver, BC - was fifth today in 6:47.76. Argentina took gold in this event in 6:26.55.

Finals continue for the next two days.

More Canadian Crews Advance at Pan Am Games Regatta

Oct. 15 posted here.

Oct. 16: Rowing continued today at the Canoe & Rowing Course in Ciudad Guzman, Mexico, for the Pan Am regatta (Oct. 15 to Oct. 19). The conditions started off manageable, but by late morning races were affected by weather.

Isolda Penney of Kingston, ON, won her heat this morning and advanced directly to the A final. Penney's time was 7:53.97, and Argentina's Maria Best also advanced to the final from this heat in a time of 7:54.05. The U.S. finished third, while Cuba and Mexico were off the pace.

"I felt I was in total control the whole race and I'm looking forward to the final," said Penney.

Also this morning, the Canadian men's light four was second in 6:17.61 and advance to the A final. This crew is Terence McKall of Edmonton, AB, Travis King of Grimsby, ON, Eric Woelfl of St. Catharines, ON, and Derek Vinge of Fernie, BC.

World bronze medalist (coxed pair) Steven Van Knotsenburg of Beamsville, ON, and Peter McClelland of Aurora/King City, ON, were fourth in the men's pair race today and will now row in a rep. Brazil and Mexico advanced from this heat.

The Canadian women's quad was fourth today in 7:03.71 in what is essentially a race for lanes, and all boats move the final.

The quad is Audra Vair of Creemore, ON, Elizabeth McCord of Toronto, ON, Melanie Kok of St. Catharines, ON, and Isolda Penney of Kingston, ON.

Wind picked up at the course at Guzman today, and forced a delay of the men's eight race. It is tentatively postponed until later this afternoon.

"The guys in the eight, and the entire team for that matter, have been great about 'going with the flow' for this event," said Rowing Canada Aviron High Performance Director Peter Cookson. "The postponement is not a big issue and we will be ready to go whenever the race is re-scheduled for."

UPDATE:The men's pair (Steven Van Knotsenburg of Beamsville, ON, and Peter McClelland of Aurora/King City, ON) advanced after coming second in its rep in 7:01.24. The Canadians maintained a lead for most of the course, but were edged out by the Chileans in the last 500 metres (of 2000m).

In a tight men's eight race for lanes, the U.S. was first in 6:02.21, with Canada less than a second off the pace in 6:02.76. Mexico was third, and Argentina, Cuba, and Brazil followed.

The eight is Steven Van Knotsenburg of Beamsville, ON, Peter McClelland of Aurora/King City, ON, Spencer Crowley of Lantzville, BC, Blake Parsons of Toronto, ON, David Wakulich of St. Catharines, ON, Kai Langerfeld of Parksville, BC, Benjamin de Wit of Nakusp, BC, Joshua Morris of Victoria, BC, and coxswain Mark Laidlaw of Mississauga, ON.

Results can be found at:
http://info.guadalajara2011.org.mx/
Click on English and "rowing"

Canadian Rowers Begin Pan Am Campaign Today in Mexico

Oct. 15: Five Canadian boats raced this morning, kicking off the Pan American Games regatta at the Rowing and Canoeing Course in Guzman, Mexico.

The women's double of Audra Vair of Creemore, ON, and Elizabeth McCord of Toronto, ON, won in 7:23.95 and advance to the A finals. The U.S. was second in 7:24.97 and Mexico was third in 7:33.24.

"I think there were some nerves going in," said Vair, who is rowing in her first PanAm Games. "We had a really strong start, and in the second 1000 metres, we set the tone for the finish. We were composed, and know what we have to do in the final."

The men's four of Spencer Crowley of Lantzville, BC, Blake Parsons of Toronto, ON, David Wakulich of St. Catharines, ON, and Kai Langerfeld of Parksville, BC, was also first in 6:08.10 to advance to the A finals. The four led the whole way down the course, but the Mexicans were close at the finish in 6:09.90.

"We are pleased with today's result," said Crowley, who also represented Canada this year at the World Under 23 Championships. "Through the middle Mexico made a push, but we held them off and executed our race according to plan. It's great to have that first race out of the way."

The lightweight men's double of Terry McKall of Edmonton, AB, and Travis King of Grimsby, ON, also won their heat today - the time over 2000 metres was 6:33.82. Brazil was second in 6:34.16, and Argentina was off the pace in 6:56.42.

The women's pair (Sandra Kisil of Ancaster, ON, and Sarah Bonikowsky of Orangeville, ON) was third in today's heat in 7:41.77, and will also row in the finals, as this event has five entries in total. The U.S. won this race for lanes in 7:31.72, followed by Argentina in 7:36.22. Cuba and Mexico rounded out the field.

The men's single of Michael Braithwaite of Duncan, BC, had a tougher go of it and was third in 7:26.04. Cuba took first in 7:13.41, and moved to the A finals.

This afternoon at the Pan Am Games in Mexico,  Braithwaite was third in his rep, and must now go to the B final (for places seven and on). His time was 7:35.56. The top two boats advanced - the U.S. won in 7:20.52, followed by Chile 7:24.68.

Also today, the men's double was sixth in its race for lanes.

The conditions were good today, and organizers have worked hard to prepare the course for this Pan Am Games regatta.

"Local organizers and FISA officials have done a lot of work to get the regatta off the ground, and we were excited to see some great racing," said Rowing Canada Aviron High Performance Director Peter Cookson.

Heats and reps continue tomorrow, with finals on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

Results can be found at:
http://info.guadalajara2011.org.mx/
Click on English and "rowing"

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