Women’s eight earns Silver
After a fourth place finish in Beijing, the Canadian women’s eight rowing crew of put on a huge charge in the last 500 metres Thursday to capture a silver medal at Eton Dorney on Day 6 of the Games. The podium victory in 6:12.06 marks Canada’s seventh medal and second silver.
“It hasn’t hit me yet,” said North Vancouver’s Lauren Wilkinson. “It’s an amazing group of women that I’ve had the privilege to row with. No regrets. (This is) fuel to the fire for 2016.”
The crew comprised of Janine Hanson, Rachelle Viinberg, Krista Guloien, Wilkinson, Natalie Mastracci, Ashley Brzozowicz, Darcy Marquardt, Andreanne Morin and renowned Olympic coxswain Lesley Thompson-Willie held of the bronze medallist crew from Holland and crossed the line just 1.47 seconds behind the defending gold medallist boat from the U.S.
“We weren’t worried about the Dutch at all,” said Thompson-Willie of London, ON. “We were out there to win, and were watching the whole field, but we were focused on our own boat and our race plan.”
The silver matches the performance from the men’s eight boat just one day prior, bolstering Canada’s reputation for podium excellence in the heavyweight boat.
In other rowing action Thursday, the women’s lightweight doubles sculls boat comprised of Lindsay Jennerich and Patricia Obee advanced to the B final with a fourth-place spot in the semi, clocking a 7:14.83.
“We are obviously disappointed. It’s going to take a while to take in – it’s seven minutes of your life and one shot at an Olympic medal,” said Jennerich.
The pair will race for again on Aug. 4.
The men’s coxless four crew of Anthony Jacob, William Dean, Derek O’Farrell and Michael Wilkinson also advanced to the B final with a 6:08.90 and will race again on Aug. 4.
