OLYMPICS: McGill rowers end up ninth and 14th at Games
ETON-DORNEY, ENGLAND - Derek O'Farrell and Doug Vandor, both of whom got their start in a novice boat with the McGill University rowing team, finished ninth and 14th in their respective events at the Summer Olympics, Saturday.
O'Farrell, a 29-year-old native of Montreal, placed third in his men's fours B final to finish ninth overall, posting a time of six minutes, 11.15 seconds. Joining him in the Canadian boat was Michael Wilkinson, a Queen's grad from North Vancouver, plus Anthony Jacob of Vancouver and Will Dean of Kelowna, B.C.
The British crew won gold, completing the 2,000-metre course in 6:03.97, followed on the podium by Australia (6:05.19) and the United States (6:07.20).
In the men's lightweight double sculls, the 37-year-old Vandor, who hails from Dewittville, Que., teamed up with Morgan Jarvis, a Queen's grad from Winnipeg, to finish second behind Australia in the C final and 14th overall, with a time of 6:46.62. The event was won by Denmark in 6:37.17, while the British boat claimed silver in 6:37.78 and New Zealand bagged bronze in 6:40.86.
The Games are now done for O'Farrell and Vandor, who join former McGill athletes Victoria Poon and Marie-Andrée Lessard -- both from LaSalle, Que., -- on the sidelines. However, two other McGillians are still gearing up to start their events in the coming week.
Wrestler Martine Dugrenier, a McGill grad from Laval, Que., is scheduled for her inaugural bout in the women's 63 kg weight class on Aug. 8 at 1 p.m. Synchronized swimmer Jo-Annie Fortin, a Montrealer who will enter McGill as a psychology freshman in September, begins her competition on Aug. 9 (10 a.m.).
In all, McGill has 16 representatives serving in an official at the Games, including six athletes.
SOURCE:
Earl Zukerman
Communications Officer
Athletics & Recreation
McGill University
514-398-7012 (Tel.)
514-398-1956 (Fax)
m.athletics.mcgill.ca (mobile website)