Byrnes ’05, Canada win third gold medal of the summer
Bates graduate Andrew Byrnes ’05 and the Canadian men’s eight won its third international gold medal of the summer over the weekend, with a first-place finish in its most competitive race yet on the Rotsee course in Lucerne, Switzerland.
According to Rowing Canada’s website, rowingcanada.org, Canada won the World Cup final in 5:30.59, followed by Germany in 5:32.73 and Russia in 5:33.94 for bronze.
While the Canada men’s eight has six members with previous World Cup, World Championship or Olympic Games experience, Byrnes is a newcomer to his country’s top boat.
“I’m very excited to be part of this crew,” Byrnes said in the website’s article. “For me, it was helpful to have a lot of experienced rowers in the boat. The crew has confidence and a positive attitude, and I know we can count on each other. Today’s race was a great step toward the World Championships.”
Byrnes and company are gearing up for the World Championships, to be held in August in Munich, Germany.