The Canadian women’s eight rowing team are the reigning Olympic champions – and they’re showing why they’re a threat to repeat.
The team won gold on Sunday at a World Cup regatta in Lucerne, Switzerland, that’s serving as an international tune-up ahead of the Paris Games.
Jessica Sevick, Caileigh Filmer, Maya Meschkuleit, Kasia Gruchalla-Wesierski, Kristen Siermachesky, Sydney Payne, Kristina Walker, Abigail Dent, and coxswain Kristen Kit powered their way to the finish line in six minutes and 4.47 seconds.
Great Britain took silver in 6:05.57, while Australia (6:08.77) claimed bronze.
WATCH | Canada’s women’s 8 to defend Olympic title in Paris:
The Canadian team finished fifth with a time of 6:07.15 at the Rowing World Championships race in Belgrade to qualify for the Paris Olympics.
Also in action in Lucerne was the women’s lightweight double of Jill Moffatt and Jennifer Casson. The duo will also wear the Maple Leaf in Paris but finished just off the podium in their final on Sunday.
Moffatt, of Bethany, Ont., and Casson, of Kingston, Ont., crossed the line in 7:03.43, finishing fourth overall.
Great Britain won gold in 6:54.83, followed by New Zealand (6:57.68) and the U.S. (7:01.37).
Both the women’s eight and Moffatt and Casson qualified for the Summer Games at last year’s world championship in Belgrade, Serbia.