VCRC junior athlete Alex Goning competed in Canada’s men’s pair and won bronze on the final day of racing at the 2021 World Rowing Junior Championships. Ellie Sousa participated in Canada’s women’s four, who won the B final and placed 7th overall.

Matteo Banducci (Vancouver College) and Alexander Gonin (Victoria City Rowing Club) crossed the line behind Romania and Germany in the A final with a time of 6:45.22. After opening the regatta with a fourth place finish in the heats, Banducci and Gonin continued to improve throughout the competition from one race to the next.

 “The only way I can describe the race is being difficult.” Said Alex Gonin ” In my opinion if the Bulgarians had a 100 more meters we would not have been able to hold them off. No matter what, it was amazing and we are really satisfied. “

Three Canadian crews raced in B finals on Sunday, with the women’s four of Ellie Sousa (Victoria City Rowing Club), Firinne Rolfe (St. Michaels University School), Sophie Gower (Thunder Rowing Club) and Ellexi Fulton (Shawnigan Lake School) winning their race ahead of Belarus and Poland and finished seventh overall.

ALL Team Canada Results and Progressions 

Men’s Pair – Matteo Banducci & Alexander Gonin
4th in Heat > 3rd in Rep > 2nd in A/B Semi > 3rd in A Final > BRONZE

Men’s Quad – Adrian Breen, Giancarlo DiPompeo, Payton Gauthier & Shane Keagan
4th in Heat > 5th in Rep > 5th in C/D Semi > 3rd D Final > 21st Place

Women’s Four – Ellie Sousa, Firinne Rolfe, Sophie Gower & Ellexi Fulton
3rd in Heat > 3rd in Rep > 1st in B Final > 7th Place

Women’s Quad – Fiona Elliott, Hannah Elliott, Teagan Orth & Anna Pamenter 
2nd in Heat > 3rd in Rep > 4th in B Final > 10th Place

Women’s Double – Jana Peachey & Madeleine Lauriault
3rd in Heat > 2nd in Rep > 5th in A/B Semi > 4th in B Final > 10th Place