Canadian paddlers in three 1,000-metre finals at worlds - August 19th, 2010

POZNAN, Poland – Canada reached three 1,000-metre finals after Thursday’s heats and semis as the world canoe and kayak championships got underway in heavy winds which knocked several top boats out of medal contention including Canada’s Adam Van Koeverden.

Andrew Russell of Dartmouth, N.S., and Gabriel Beauchesne-Sevigny of Trois-Rivieres, Que., were second in the C-2 (canoe doubles) semifinal to advance to Saturday’s final and  Mark Oldershaw of Burlington, Ont., took third in his C-1 1,000 semi to also advance.  The men’s C-4 1,000 was not raced after a withdrawal which puts Canada in that final as well.

“We were very pleased with our performances today,” said CanoeKayak sprint high performance director Graham Barton.  “Andrew and Gabriel appeared in great form and had a great challenge in their semifinal.  With a day off tomorrow (Friday) they should be ready to give everything they got on race day.”

Van Koeverden won his opening heat then needed a top-two finish in his semi to advance to the final.  He finished in fourth place less than a second from second spot.  The top-four in Van Koeverden also posted faster times than the winners in the other three semis.

“Adam had pretty good control but he hit some waves late in the race and it all came down to a couple of strokes,” said Barton.  “It was a tough day for him and he is extremely disappointed.  We know he is a podium athlete, but the weather cost him today as well as other favourites.  It’s an outdoor sport and this stuff happens.”

Powerhouse crews including the German C-2, the Hungarian K-4 and the Slovakian K-4 all missed their cuts for the final due in part to the conditions.

Competition continues Friday with the heats and semis in the 500 as well as finals in the Para canoe events in which Canada has a four-member squad including gold medal contender Christine Gauthier of Pointe-Claire.  These are the first worlds Para canoeing races are official events.

Full results at: http://kayak2010.com/regatta/index.htm

More news and profiles at: www.canoekayak.ca

On-site contact: Lorraine Lafrenière, CanoeKayak Canada, cell: (613) 769-6772

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