Racing continues to be close at the 2007 World Rowing Championships in Munich, Germany. Today, Canada advanced to the next round of racing in four more events.

Lindsay Jennerich of Victoria, B.C. and Tracy Cameron of Shubenacadie, N.S. looked strong in their lightweight women's double repechage this morning.

"On Monday (in the heat) they had a good first 1000, and today they pulled together a better second half," said the lightweight double's coach Laryssa Biesenthal. "Their best race is still yet to come.... It's in them, they just have to execute it." The double is the only Olympic event open to lightweight women.

The lightweight men's four also took charge to win today's race in 6:14.73.

"To be in a race with the gold (Great Britain) and bronze (the Netherlands) medalists from the Lucerne World Cup (where Canada finished fourth) and to beat them today means that we are on track," said crew member Iain Brambell, who is married to women's lightweight coach Biesenthal. "We have nothing but confidence in each other and in our coach, Bent (Jensen)." The other members of the lightweight four are Liam Parsons of Thunder Bay, Ont., Mike Lewis of Victoria, B.C., and Jon Beare of Toronto, Ont.,

The women's eight also came a step closer today in their campaign to qualify for the 2008 Olympics. The eight was a close second in 6:22.29 to rep winner Germany (6:22.07). The Netherlands was third in 6:23.46 and will row in the B final for places 7 to 12. The top five women's eights will get an Olympic berth.

"It was a very close race the whole way down the course," said crew member Heather Mandoli. "We were a couple seats down to both the Dutch and Germans for the first 1000, and we knew it was a do or die situation coming through the 1000 metre mark. We needed to come at least second to gain a place in the A final, which is essential to gain one of the five spots for Beijing. We were able to get step one of the process accomplished today in a very exciting race."

The eight consists of Mandoli of Kelowna, B.C., Ashley Brzozowicz of Toronto, Ont., Kaylan Vander Schilden of Victoria, Sabrina Kolker of West Vancouver, B.C., Romina Stefancic of Victoria, Katie Reynolds of St. John, NB, Buffy Williams of St. Catharines, Ont., Sarah Bonikowsky of Orangeville, Ont., and Lesley Thompson-Willie of London, Ont. (cox)

The lightweight men's double of Doug Vandor of Dewittville, Que. and Matt Jensen of Innerkip, Ont. also got the job done today, moving forward to the semi finals after finishing third in 6:43.26, in a tight race that also saw France (6:42.00) and Germany (6:43.13) qualify for the semi.

“There are 12 boats that could be in either the A or B finals, we are taking it one step at a time and our next goal is to be in the A finals,” said Jensen. “Today helped and we hope to carry that momentum over to Friday’s semi.”

In what was the heartbreaker of the day for Canada, the men's quad finished just .26 of a second off second place in a race where top two moved to the semi finals. Canada held second position for the middle part of the race and was just overtaken by the U.S. at the surge to the line.

The Canadian men's four won its semi C/D in 6:16.29 and goes to the C final that determines places 13 through 18.

Today was rainy and cool, but conditions remain generally good for rowing. Racing continues tomorrow through Sunday.

Canadian Results - Reps
August 29, 2007

Lightweight women's double (LW2x) (top three to semi)
1 CAN 7:20.46
2 ITA 7:21.63
3 POL 7:23.60
4 HUN 7:31.15
5 ESP 7:33.05
6 CUB 7:41.23

Lightweight men's double (LM2x) (top three to semi)
1 FRA 6:42.00
2 GER 6:43.13
3 CAN 6:43.26
4 CUB 6:46.67
5 NZL 6:50.60
POL DNF

Lightweight men's four (LM4-) (top three to semi)
1 CAN 6:14.73
2 GBR 6:15.76
3 NED 6:16.22
4 SRB 6:17.87
5 ESP 6:27.18
6 INA 6:41.90

Men's quad (M4x) (top two to semi)
1 BLR 6:08.68
2 USA 6:09.11
3 CAN 6:09.37
4 CHN 6:14.26
5 CRO 6:14.36

Women's eight (W8+) (top two to final)
1 GER 6:22.07
2 CAN 6:22.29
3 NED 6:23.46
RUS EXC

Full results at www.worldrowing.com

Photo by Carolyn Caesar