Hazewinkwl, Belgium (July 20, 2006) - The Canadian Under 23 team got off to a fast start at the 2006 World Rowing Under 23 Championships in Hazewinkel, Belgium.

The men's coxed four of Brent Holmes-Heron of Peterborough, Ont., Andrew Rastapkevicius of Kingston, Ont., Michael Wilkinson of North Vancouver, B.C., Daniel Matthews of Vancouver, B.C and Matthew Swaile of Victoria, B.C. were fourth at 6:28.66.

Although the Canadian lightweight men's four of Kurtis Boyd of Brockville, Ont., Simon Gowdy of Montréal, Que., John Haver of Saskatoon, Sask. and Nick Pratt of Kingston, Ont. was fifth at 6:10.96, they were less than a second from a qualifying spot. They will row in repechage.

Canada’s women’s eight was fourth at 6:28.28. Women's eight members are Elizabeth McCord of Toronto, Ont., Sarah Waterfield of Kingston, Ont., Evan Wilson of Toronto, Ont., Meghan Thomas of Victoria, B.C., Larissa Lagzdins of Burlington, Ont., Cara Troelstra of Halifax, N.S., Kerry Maher of Welland, Ont., Kristina Macdonald of Langley, B.C., and Julia MacDonald of Port Moody, B.C. (coxswain).

The heat wave in Europe has been an issue at this regatta, with organizers changing the schedule today to finish early. Racing continues, with the medal rounds on Sunday, July 23.

Rastapkevicius, Wilkinson, Gowdy, and McCord are current members of the Queen's team, while Pratt rowed at KCVI and is now on the Queen's team.

Canadian Results - Heats 2006 World Rowing Under 23 Championships

(2000 metres)

Men's coxed four
1 NZL 6:16.10
2 GBR 6:18.33
3 AUS 6:19.72
4 CAN 6:28.66
5 POL 6:36.26

Lightweight men's four
1 ITA 6:07.51
2 GER 6:08.97
3 SUI 6:10.18
4 USA 6:10.29
5 CAN 6:10.96

Women's eight
1 ROM 6:16.90
2 GER 6:18.64
3 RUS 6:23.61
4 CAN 6:28.28

Full results at www.worldrowing.com

Taken from the files of Rowing Canada Aviron, and Queen's Head Rowing Coach John Armitage.