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Women’s eight has just the right chemistry

The women’s eight showcased Wednesday why it will be one of Canada’s most vaunted crews on the road to the 2016 Rio Summer Olympics.

The women’s eight showcased Wednesday why it will be one of Canada’s most vaunted crews on the road to the 2016 Rio Summer Olympics.

The Canadians led from the start in winning their qualifying race to advance directly to Sunday’s final at the 2014 world rowing championships on the Bosbaan in Amsterdam.

“We all bring something unique to this boat,” said crew member Rosie DeBoef of Victoria.

“It’s the mix of veterans and newbies that makes this boat go so fast.

“We’re pretty excited for Sunday,” added the Islander and former University of Washington Huskies rower, by phone from Amsterdam. The Americans won the other qualifying race, to set up the summit matchup Sunday between the two top crews in the world.

Dual citizen and Canadian crew member Christine Roper, who has lived in Victoria and her native Jamaica, also touched on the mix.

“We have a very good combination of veterans — who are older, wiser, calmer — and younger pullers, who are strong in technique and mentally tough,” said the 24-year-old Roper from Amsterdam.

“We’re happy with how we have started here at the worlds. Not only did we advance directly, but we got a good lane for the final,” added Roper, who taught a junior and learn-to-row program at St. Michaels University School, after rowing for the University of Virginia Cavaliers as a psychology major.

The Canadian eight consists of Roper, DeBoef, Cristy Nurse, Lisa Roman, Natalie Mastracci, Susanne Grainger, Ashley Brzozowicz, Lauren Wilkinson and the seemingly ageless coxswain Lesley Thompson-Willie.

The Canadian men’s quad, emerging as another boat to watch as Rio rounds into view, finished second to Switzerland in its preliminary race to advance to the semifinals Friday. The Elk Lake-based crew consists of Olympian Michael Braithwaite of Duncan along with Will Dean, Matthew Buie and Pascal Lussier.

Today will be highlighted by Olympians and Victoria rowers Lindsay Jennerich and Patricia Obee in the women’s lightweight double semifinals.

Also having qualified for the semifinals and racing today is the Elk Lake-based Canadian men’s four. It features three silver medallists from the Canadian eight at the 2012 London Summer Olympics — Rob Gibson, Will Crothers, Conlin McCabe — and newcomer Kai Langerfeld of Parksville.

Sportsnet One will broadcast the rest of the world rowing championships, beginning today and continuing through Sunday.

INTERNATIONAL NOTES: Harbir Sidhu of Victoria settled for the silver medal as Canada was beaten 4-3 by world No. 1 Australia on penalty strokes in the final of field-hockey fives at the 2014 Youth Olympics in Nanjing, China. Canada recorded medal-round upsets over Pakistan and Spain, both in penalty strokes, to advance as a surprise gold-medal finalist. Earlier in the Youth Olympics, Caileigh Filmer of Victoria won bronze in rowing.

cdheensaw@timescolonist.com