By Paul Daugherty
Enquirer staff writer

ATHENS - A wind-aided world record capped a successful first day of competition Sunday for four native Cincinnatians. Kings High grad Bryan Volpenhein was part of the men's eight team that won its heat in a record 5:19.85. Just as significant, the team beat both Canada and Italy - each considered a solid medal contender - in the heat.

The impressive win, even with a strong tailwind at the Olympic Rowing Center, moved Volpenhein's team into the finals next Sunday.

"We were just all focused on racing as hard as we could," Volpenhein said.

He was especially pleased the Americans edged out gold-medal favorite Canada. "I have great respect for the Canadians," Volpenhein said. "If we can stay with them (in the finals), we have a chance."

It was a good day overall for Cincinnati rowers. Walnut Hills High and UC grad Kelly Salchow is a member of the women's quadruple sculls team that finished second in its heat, losing by two seconds to a German squad favored to medal. The women's four will go to a second-chance qualifier Tuesday. If it finishes in the top four, it will advance to the semifinals.

"We were anxious to see the Germans right away," Salchow said, "and we were pleased with how we did."

St. Xavier grad Pat Todd helped the men's lightweight four to a third-place finish in its heat and a berth in the semifinals Thursday. Todd said the team needs to start faster in the semis to have a chance to advance to the finals.

"We need to be more aggressive the first five or 10 strokes," he said.

Greg Ruckman, a Wyoming High grad, and partner Steve Tucker finished second in their heat of the men's lightweight double sculls and will race Tuesday in the second-chance qualifier. The top four teams advance to the semifinals.

Events scheduled for today have been canceled because of predicted high winds. The plan is to run all Monday and Tuesday events Tuesday or, if bad weather persists, move back the schedule an entire day.