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Canada through to men’s four semifinals at 2014 FISA world rowing championships

When it comes to pedigree, the Elk Lake-based Canadian men’s four has it literally by the boatload.

 

When it comes to pedigree, the Elk Lake-based Canadian men’s four has it literally by the boatload. Much is expected of a crew that boasts three silver medallists from the Canadian eight at the 2012 London Summer Olympics — Will Crothers, Rob Gibson, Conlin McCabe — and highly regarded newcomer Kai Langerfeld of Parksville.

The crew didn’t disappoint as the 2014 FISA world rowing championships opened on the famed Bosbaan in Amsterdam. The crew rallied from behind to place second behind Greece in its preliminary race to advance directly to Thursday’s semifinals.

“Our starts have been inconsistent,” Gibson said, in a Rowing Canada statement. “But we stayed relaxed and got into a good rhythm and stayed composed. We did our own thing.” That they have learned after countless winter mornings on Elk Lake.

Another closely watched Canadian crew — the women’s lightweight double consisting of Olympians and Victoria rowers Lindsay Jennerich and Patricia Obee — didn’t fare as well.

The Claremont Secondary graduates placed third in their preliminary race and must now advance to the semifinals through a repechage race Wednesday.

The Islanders were bronze medallists at the prestigious Lucerne World Cup regatta earlier this summer and are tipped as a crew to watch on the road to the 2016 Rio Summer Olympics.

“I’m disappointed we missed this opportunity to perform,” said Jennerich, through Rowing Canada. “We have to find that balance between being relaxed and harnessing the nerves.”

Other Canadian boats with Rio hopes are the women’s eight and quad. The quad placed second to the U.S. in its starting race but still qualified for the semifinals. The women’s eight begins its competition this morning.

The FISA world rowing championship semifinals and finals will be broadcast on Rogers Sportsnet starting Thursday and continuing through Sunday.

INTERNATIONAL NOTES: Harbir Sidhu of Victoria is guaranteed at least a silver medal as Canada has scored a series of heart-racing upsets in field-hockey fives in advancing to the gold-medal final Wednesday against defending World Cup and Commonwealth Games champion nation Australia at the 2014 Youth Olympics taking place in Nanjing, China. Earlier in the Games, Caileigh Filmer of Victoria won bronze in rowing.

cdheensaw@timescolonist.com