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BRANDENBURG, Germany - Canada's under-23 men's eight picked up a silver medal Sunday at the U-23 world rowing championship.

Canada overtook Poland to finish second in 5:53.30, leaving the Polish crew to claim bronze in 5:54.57.

The U.S. won the men's eight contest in 5:49.42, while Germany, Great Britain and Estonia rounded out the field.

"We went out there to win, but the U.S. was just the better crew on the day," said Chris Aylard of Victoria. "A lot of crews went out hard at the start and we were definitely challenged by Poland, which made it very exciting."

The silver medalists are Anthony Jacob of Vancouver, Conlin McCabe of Brockville, Ont., Will Dean of Kelowna, B.C., Blake Pucsek of Victoria, Aylard, Will Crothers of Kingston, Ont., Stephen Connolly of Calgary, Rob Gibson of Kingston, Ont., and Ronan Sabo-Walsh of Vancouver.

"It's great to see Canada back on the podium in this event again," said Canadian coach Doug White.

Last year, the U23 eight was a disappointing seventh in the world, after winning gold in 2006.

Earlier this month, the crew won the Grand Challenge Cup at the Henley Royal Regatta in England. The Canadian women's eight finished a respectable fourth today in 6:46.22.

The Canadian U-23 women's eight is Ainsley Braun (cox) of Victoria, Ashton Brown of Calgary, Allison Doodeman of Thorold, Ont., Stephanie Morrison of Nelson B.C., Erika Shaw of Victoria, Jennifer Tuters of Peterborough, Ont., Natalie Mastracci of St. Catharines, Ont., Jody Schuurman of Vancouver, and Ame Hicks of 100 Mile House, B.C.

The U.S. won the gold in 6:36.01; Poland finished second in 6:39.72 and Belarus third in 6:43.35.