News

McGill rowing grads win silver at World Cup regatta

Published: 13 July 2009

LUCERNE, Switzerland – Derek O’Farrell of Unionville, Ont., and Doug Vandor from Dewittville, Que., both products of the McGill University rowing program, each captured silver medals at the prestigious annual Lucerne World Cup regatta in Switzerland, Sunday.

In its first race since Beijing, the new-look Canadian men’s eight — which included O’Farrell — was second in the 2,000-metre final, clocking in at five minutes, 36.09 seconds. Germany took gold in 5:33.56 and the Netherlands earned bronze in 5:37.99. Great Britain, Poland and Italy followed in order.

Vandor teamed up with Cam Sylvester of Caledon, Ont., to win their second silver medal of the season in the lightweight men’s double event. New Zealand took first in 6:22.71; Canada’s time was 6:25.54 and France picked up the bronze in 6:26.62.

All three Canadian crews entered in the finals came away with medals — two silvers and a bronze — on the final day of the competition.

“I am very happy that every member of the team that raced today came away with a medal,’’ Canadian coach Mike Spracklen said in a Rowing Canada press release.

Malcolm Howard of Victoria, Andrew Byrnes of Toronto, Steve VanKnotsenburg of Beamsville, Ont., James Dunaway of Duncan, B.C., Doug Csima of Oakville, Ont., Gabe Bergen of 100 Mile House, B.C., and Rob Gibson of Kingston, Ont., were the other members of the men’s eight.

“We are on track for the world championships,” said Canadian high performance director Peter Cookson. “Two silvers and a bronze medal is a good showing. We’ll now go home and tweak things a little to be fully ready for the world championships (to be held in late August).”

The Canadian senior crew will now focus on preparing for the world championships in Poznan, Poland, Aug. 23-30. Canada will also be sending a junior crew to the under-23 world championships, in the Czech Republic town of Racice, July 23-26.