The World Rowing Under 23 Championships (July 17 to 20) continued in Brandenburg, Germany, with Canada advancing two crews to the finals as a result of today’s semis.

Canada’s Under 23 men’s eight won its semi-final in 6:20.68 to advance to the final round of racing tomorrow. Crews from Great Britain, 6:21.98, and Germany, 6:24.12, also move ahead from this semi.

This year's U23 eight is Anthony Jacob of Vancouver, B.C, Conlin McCabe of Brockville, Ont., Will Dean of Kelowna, B.C., Blake Pucsek of Victoria B.C., Chris Aylard of Victoria, B.C., Will Crothers of Kingston, Ont., Stephen Connolly of Calgary, Alta., Rob Gibson of Kingston, Ont. and Ronan Sabo-Walsh (cox) of Vancouver, B.C.

“We are happy with the result of our semi-final today and are looking forward to the final tomorrow. We executed our race well into a strong headwind this afternoon, but we feel our ‘A’ game is yet to come,” said Gibson, who is also a spare for Canada’s 2008 Olympic team. “Our only goal is to bring the Under 23 World Championship title back to Canada.” Canada won this event in 2006.

In changeable conditions, the U.S. won the other men’s eight semi in 6:09.79, with Poland (6:10.73) and Estonia (6:12.40) also heading into tomorrow’s big race.

In the men's pair event, Josh Morris of Victoria, B.C. and Gordon Clark of Vancouver, B.C. finished third in their semi, and now advance to the A final. Greece won this race in 7:13.96; followed by Argentina in 7:19.1, and Canada finished in 7:26.37, just ahead of Sweden (7:26.55), with top three moving to the medal round. A crew from Belarus was in third most of the way down the course, but two late errors forced them to the back of the pack allowing the Canadian pair an opportunity to advance.

The Canadian women’s pair (Caitlin Pauls of St. Catharines, Ont. and Samantha Smith of Victoria) finished eighth overall today.

Canada also has a women's eight entered; and this boat will row in the final tomorrow.

Full reports and results: www.worldrowing.com

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Jackie Skender - Rowing Canada Aviron
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