August 29, 2019 – Linz-Ottensheim, Austria
IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Canada took the first steps towards Tokyo 2020 today with Olympic qualification in the Women’s Pair, the Women’s eight advanced to the A final with a commanding repechage win and two lightweight singles booked their tickets into the A Finals tomorrow.

2018 World Champions, Hillary Janssens (Cloverdale, BC) and Caileigh Filmer (Victoria, BC) lined up in the first of two semi-final races in the women’s pair with top three advancing to the A Final. Canada battled down the 2000m course alongside the Aussies crossing the line in 2^nd (7:00.45) with Australia in (6:58.00). Janssens and Filmer clinched their spot in the A Final on Saturday and earned Canada’s first berth for Tokyo 2020. The Pair did not have time to celebrate as they headed straight back to the start to prepare for the Women’s eight repechage a few hours later.

“I’m really happy with how today went,” said Janssens. “We tried to make it as easy as possible for us to secure that Olympic spot, conserve our energy and start mentally preparing for the next one. We knew today was going to be the biggest day for us and we just had to trust our training, our fitness and trust the girls behind us in the boat that we were ready to go.”

The Women’s eight repechage progression saw the top two boats advancing into the A Final with Canada lining up against Australia, Denmark, China and the Netherlands. Canada blasted off the start and into the lead with Aussie’s close behind. Canada never relinquished their position to book their spot in the A Final and opportunity for Olympic qualification (Top 5).

“There was a lot of calmness at the start but as soon as that light switched, there was so much intensity onboard,” said bow seat, Lisa Roman. “It was a really cool feeling to execute what we needed to do.”

Ellen Gleadow rowed a stellar semi-final race in the women’s lightweight single, rowing side by side with Chiaki Tomita from Japan, overtaking the lead in the final 500m to clinch the win and secure an A final spot. “I’m pleased with the way my race went and all my races are getting better and better,” said Gleadow. “I know that whether I get out in front or behind I can hit a pace that is fast and challenge everyone to come with me. I’m really excited for the A Final as every opportunity to race is an opportunity to learn.”

Aaron Lattimer (Delta, BC) also secured his spot in the A Final tomorrow, finishing 3^rd in his A/B semi-final (6:52.72). “It wasn’t my best race but I still put down a fast time. I’m looking for redemption,” said Lattimer. “Last year’s 4^th place finish definitely left a sour taste in my mouth and motivated me through the whole fall and winter of training. It’s going to be a hot race but I trust in the Dick Tonks effect. He pushes you to be ready for anything and know you’ve put in the most miles.” 

Maxwell Lattimer (Delta, BC) and Patrick Keane (Victoria, BC) finished 6^th in their lightweight semi-final moving to the B Final on Saturday. Winner takes all in the B Final as only the top crew in this final will secure an Olympic berth in the men’s lightweight double.

Jill Moffatt (Bethany, ON) and Jennifer Casson (Kingston, ON) placed 5^th ahead of Australia and will also contest for the single spot available for Olympic qualification in the women’s lightweight double B Final.

The men’s eight repechage saw only 2 boats progressing through to the A Final today. Canada had a fast start, falling back slightly at the 1000m mark to Netherlands and New Zealand. Canada could not respond, and finished 4^th behind Romania. The men’s eight will contest Sunday’s B Final.

The women’s four crew Madison Mailey (Burnaby, BC), Sydney Payne (Toronto, ON), Jennifer Martins (Toronto, ON), and Stephanie Grauer (Vancouver, BC) will contest a B final on Saturday with the top two finishers earning an Olympic berths.

Matt Buie (Duntroon, ON) and two-time U23 World Champion Trevor Jones (Lakefield, ON) qualified for the C Final with a 2^nd place finish just 0.01 of a second behind the Italian crew.

Jeremy Hall (St. Paul, AB) and PR2 Mixed Double partner Jessye Brockway (Mill Bay, BC) finished 6^th to progress to the B Final. There is a total of eight Tokyo 2020 berths available in the PR2 Mixed Double in Linz and the Canadian crew is keen to confirm one of the remaining two spots during Saturday’s B Final.

Tomorrow will be an exciting day of racing for Team Canada, racing in four A finals along with three A/B semi-final action in the women’s double, women’s single and men’s pair.

Racing continues until September 1, 2019 with live streaming available every day at CBC Sports.

Photos of Team Canada (copyright Rowing Canada Aviron) can be viewed here.

To receive live event updates and results via whatsapp for Finals starting on Friday, join the group here. (phone and whatsapp required)

The 2019 World Rowing Championships Qualification System for Tokyo 2020 can be found here.

When and Where
August 25-September 1, 2019
Linz-Ottensheim, Austria
Schedule to be released here

How to Follow Racing 
Live tracking and blogging every day at www.worldrowing.com.
Live streaming available in Canada at CBC Sports.

Media Guide

View World Rowing’s World Rowing Championships media guide here. Bio information for Canadian team found here.

Join the conversation @rowingcanada: #WRChamps #rowtotokyo #rowingcanada #truenorthstrong

Canadian Crews – World Rowing Championships

PR2 Men’s Single
Jeremy Hall	Edmonton Rowing Club
PR2 Mixed Double
Jeremy Hall	Edmonton Rowing Club
Jessye Brockway	Gorge Rowing Club
PR3 Men’s Pair
Andrew Todd	North Star Rowing Club
Kyle Fredrickson	University of Victoria Rowing Club
PR1 Men’s Single
Loren Pearson	Victoria City Rowing Club
Women’s Eight
Lisa Roman	Middlesex-Western Rowing Club
Susanne Grainger	London Rowing Club
Nicole Hare	Calgary Rowing Club
Avalon Wasteneys	University of Victoria Rowing Club
Kasia Gruchalla-Wesierski	Calgary Rowing Club
Hillary Janssens	University of British Columbia Rowing Club
Christine Roper	Ottawa Rowing Club
Caileigh Filmer	University of Victoria Rowing Club
Kristen Kit (coxswain)	University of British Columbia Rowing Club/St. Catharines Rowing Club
Women’s Pair
Hillary Janssens	University of British Columbia Rowing Club
Caileigh Filmer	University of Victoria Rowing Club
Women’s Four
Madison Mailey	Burnaby Lake Rowing Club
Jennifer Martins	Western University Rowing Club
Stephanie Grauer	Burnaby Lake Rowing Club
Sydney Payne	Brentwood College Rowing Club
Women’s Double
Andrea Proske	Victoria City Rowing Club
Gabrielle Smith	Knowlton Rowing Club
Lightweight Women’s Double
Jill Moffatt	Western University Rowing Club
Jennifer Casson	Kingston Rowing Club
Lightweight Women’s Single
Ellen Gleadow	Burnaby Lake Rowing Club
Women’s Single
Carling Zeeman	Sudbury Rowing Club
Spares
Kristin Bauder	Middlesex-Western Rowing Club
Morgan Rosts	Ridley Graduate Boat Club
Rebecca Zimmerman	University of Victoria Rowing Club
Laura Court	St. Catharines Rowing Club
Men’s Pair
Conlin McCabe	Brockville Rowing Club
Kai Langerfeld	University of Victoria Rowing Club
Men’s Eight
Benjamin de Wit	University of British Columbia Rowing Club
Cody Bailey	MicMac Aquatic Center
Gavin Stone	Queen’s University Rowing Club
Jakub Buczek	Burnaby Lake Rowing Club
Mackenzie Copp	Western University Rowing Club
Martin Barakso	Brentwood College Rowing Club
Taylor Perry	Leander Boat Club
Will Crothers	Kingston Rowing Club
Lesley Thompson-Willie (coxswain)	London Rowing Club
Men’s Double
Matthew Buie	St. Catharines Rowing Club
Trevor Jones	Peterborough Rowing Club
Lightweight Men’s Double
Maxwell Lattimer	University of British Columbia Rowing Club
Patrick Keane	Victoria City Rowing Club
Lightweight Men’s Single
Aaron Lattimer	University of British Columbia Rowing Club
Spares
David De Groot	Brock University Rowing Club
Tim Schrijver	Brock University Rowing Club