The American team took silver in the men's 10-man 200 metre and 500m races, and then took bronze in the 20-man 200m race, despite being down to just 18 paddlers.

They also narrowly missed out on a podium position in the 20-man 500m, coming fourth, but setting a best time in the event in the process.

Mike Blundetto, Dragon Boat USA's chief racing officer, said: "I am very pleased with the results from the 2011 World Club Crew Championships in Toronto.

"I see this as a great stepping stone for the development of the USA C/K-Dragon Boat USA program as we look forward towards racing in Oklahoma City 2011 and the 2012 ICF World Championships in Milan 2012."

Other members of the American squad teamed up with their Canadian counterparts, with Raymond Vinole and Rod Ohearn joining a Canadian club to help them earn a gold.

Marlen Zuniga-Dool, Gerri Foust, Lori Crow, Cannie Ash, Ashley Blundetto, and Brittany Blundetto also joined with their North American counterparts to take silver in the women's 500m, whilst Laine Pepper took a bronze in the men's 2000m with the Canadian National Dragonboat club.

"The opportunities Dragon Boat USA has for athletes throughout the United States to compete well on the world stage are abundant," Blundetto added.

"I am confident that as the program realises continued success as we have this past weekend in Toronto, cross pollination from other disciplines will be a natural result and the United States will become the team to beat."

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