Two rowers with roots in the Cowichan Valley were part of the gold medal-winning Canadian team in the men's coxed four at the U23 World Rowing Championships in Varese, Italy late last month.
Martin Barakso, a 2012 graduate of Brentwood College School currently attending Princeton University, and Mike Thornton, a 2010 alumnus of Frances Kelsey
Secondary and former member of the Maple Bay Rowing Club who graduated this year from the University of Washington, helped propel Canada to victory on July 26.
The Canadians, who finished fifth in 2013, slid into first place in the final midway through the race, and held off first Italy, then New Zealand, to take the gold medal. New Zealand finished second, followed by France with the bronze.