The first round of finals of the World Rowing Under 23 Championships were held today, Saturday 14 July in Trakai, Lithuania. There was a medal spread of 11 countries out of the eight finals raced. Germany led the way with six medals, two of them gold. Italy took two golds and a silver with the help of their lightweight crews. Australia scored a gold in their women's quad to add to the World Best Time that this crew set earlier in the regatta.
Weather conditions on the Lake Trakai regatta course saw choppy water with a cross-headwind. This meant that for fairness reasons there was a re-allocation of lanes. The top crews were thus placed in the inside lanes rather than the centre lanes.
Women's Four (W4-)
The line-up in the women's four displayed a mixture of experienced and medalled athletes with a number of newcomers to international competition. On paper Canada were the crew to watch. The bow pair of this boat, Christine Roper and Susanne Grainger, were in their nation's 2011 gold medal winning women's eight. It was New Zealand, who had progressed to this final through the repechage stage that took the early lead. However, by the half-way point Canada had asserted their dominance and moved to the front of the field. This is where they stayed for the remainder of the race. The challenge for silver and bronze was highly contested. New Zealand dropped out of medal contention in the final 300 metres, allowing Australia and Russia to cross the finish line in second and third place respectively.
Men's Coxed Four (M4+)
Serbia came into this event as reigning under-23 World Champions and had every intention of defending their title. The early stages of this race were very close, with just over a second separating all six crews at the 500m mark. From there Serbia made their move and took the lead over the rest of the field and crossed the line as under-23 World Champions once again. The United States, who had firmly established themselves in second position for the duration of the race, fought hard to move ahead of Serbia but had to settle with silver. The battle for bronze was won by New Zealand.
Lightweight Women's Quadruple Sculls (LW4x)
Italy came into this final as the fastest qualifiers, but by just a small margin over Germany. Italy moved away from the start in first position and looked like they had what it took to hold off the relentless German challenge. Going through the half-way mark the Italians were still in control. Third-placed United States caught a crab, allowing the Netherlands to take advantage and move into bronze medal position. The German's then found the speed to move ahead of Italy. Although the Italians challenged hard, Germany held their position to earn gold, leaving Italy and the Netherlands to take silver and bronze.
Lightweight Men's Pair (LM2-)
Lightweight rowing has long been a strong point in Italy and it looks as though the future is safe in the hands of athletes like Fransesco Schisano and Vincenzo Serpico. With all twelve athletes weighing an average of 70kg this is a very competitive event. The Italian duo managed to stay ahead of the field for the duration of the race, facing a constant challenge from France. Coming into the closing stages the Italians took their stroke rate to 41. France could not hold on. Italy crossed the line to become 2012 Under 23 World Champions, France took silver and it was Germany who finished in bronze medal position.
Women's Pair (W2-)
New Zealand and Great Britain came into this final as the winners of each of their semifinals. Within the first strokes of this race these two crews showed their class, breaking away from the rest of the field. In the second half of this race New Zealand began to dominate, moving away from the British pair with every stroke they took. The New Zealand duo of Kayla Pratt and Kelsey Bevan crossed the finish line almost five seconds ahead of the British. The bronze medal finishers were Germany, who finished with clear water behind the first two crews.
Lightweight Men's Quadruple Sculls (LM4x)
Italy are both the 2011 World Champions and World Best time holders in this event. Today it was France who took the lead in this fast-paced race, reaching the 500m mark two seconds ahead of their closest challengers, Germany. It was at this point that the Italians made a move and began to close the distance between themselves and the race leaders. At the line Italy had managed to move into gold medal position. France had to settle for silver with Germany taking bronze. Last year's Under-23 Champions, Denmark finished in fourth and were unable to defend their title.
Women's Quadruple Sculls (W4x)
In the heats two days ago Germany and Poland had been the two top boats. All other boats had to race a repechage including Australia, who set a new under-23 World Best Time in theirs. Today the fastest qualifier from the heats, Germany took off in the lead with Australia following very closely behind. Germany are the defending under-23 Champions. Through the middle of the race Germany held onto their lead but at the 1,500m mark Australia made a move and took charge of the race. They held on to reach the line before their competitors, claiming under-23 World Champion status. Germany took silver. New Zealand's attack on Poland in the final stages of the race meant that they claimed bronze.
Men's Four (M4-)
The defending under-23 Champions, Germany, came to this final from winning one of the heats, but they did not do it with the fastest qualifying time. Instead it was Australia and Great Britain recording practically identical times. At the start Germany led over Australia with the United States in third. Germany and Australia then moved out to the front of the field with the United States still challenging. A strong finishing sprint from Germany meant that they hold on to their Under 23 World Champion title. Australia earned silver while a final charge by Great Britain saw them over-take the United States to claim bronze.<
Comments | Log in to comment |
There are no Comments yet
|