The juniors finally took to the water at #megaworlds in Rotterdam today, racing in fast conditions that produced a number of great times on the day.
The USA juniors had an absolutely phenomenal day to open their regatta, winning heats in seven of the 13 JWC events and qualifying for the next round of racing in an additional four events, with only the JW8+ and JW4x headed to the reps.
Additionally, on a quick day in Rotterdam, the USA JW2- of Kaitlyn Kynast and Kailani Marchak set a new Junior World Best Time of 7:16.82 in winning their heat.
And that was a new Junior Best Time of 7:16.82. Congratulations to the USA JW2-. #Rotterdam2016
— World Rowing (@WorldRowing) August 24, 2016
W2- wins heat & advances!!! pic.twitter.com/haMI9IQvpG
— USJuniors (@USJuniors) August 24, 2016
"That is just what we trained for," US women's Junior national team coach Liz Trond told USRowing. "It is their first international race in a small boat, so in the pair, anything could happen. I am very proud. They executed what we had been practicing perfectly. This might be one of the most fun boats I have ever coached. They have completely different personalities, but they compliment each other very well."
In addition to the Junior Women's pair, the Junior Women's Four, Junior Men's Quad, Junior Men's Pair and Junior Women's Double all won their heats.
In the last race of the morning, and perhaps putting down a marker (as the GB sports journalists like to say), the USA Junior Men's Eight put the field in the rearview in the second 500m of the race, then sprinted home ahead of the ever-fearsome German juniors to claim the win (and the direct A-final spot) in a fast 5:39 (also only 3.18 seconds off of the Junior Worlds best time.)
In H2 of JM8+, USA out in the lead. Reigning world champs NED at back of the back. USA with convincing win. #Rotterdam2016
— World Rowing (@WorldRowing) August 24, 2016
Eliza Kallfelz continued her busy week in Rotterdam by more or less cruising to the win in her one-to-advance heat in the JW1x. With the field close at 500m, Kallfelz strode out in the second 500 to take the win and the direct spot in the semis.
Wow, Eliza Kallfelz USA is doubling in the JW1x and the U23 W2x with her sister. She takes top spot in H4 to go to semis #Rotterdam2016
— World Rowing (@WorldRowing) August 24, 2016
This progression is a tough one, with 20 out of 24 crews in the event headed to the reps after the heats, whew. By steering clear of the reps, Kallfelz' remaining schedule looks like this: A-Final in the U23 W2x on Friday afternoon, JW1x A/B semis on Saturday, and A/B Finals on Sunday.
Having a good heat does not yet a good regatta make, but folks around the US camp are optimistic that the strong start is indicative of good things to come on the weekend. Junior National Team Head Development Coach Steve Hargis reflected on the day and the junior team's preparation. "I thought all the athletes were poised today after a very long summer," Hargis said. "Their technical skill set and ability to perform on the international level was impressive today. We are all looking forward to how they will perform for the rest of the week."
Fast times were the order of the day for the Juniors; a second JWBT was set in the JW1x.
And that is a new Junior World Best Time in the single - 7:34.58 for Italy's Clara Guerra. #Rotterdam2016
— World Rowing (@WorldRowing) August 24, 2016
The semis of the four U23 singles events (men's and women's, open and lightweight) were also run today. USA's Cicely Madden qualified for the A-Final in the U23 W1x, while Ben Davison (U23 M1x) and Emma Betuel (U23 LW1x) both fell short and will race in the B-Final. U23 LM1x Walter Banfield will race in the C-Final.
While Betuel was out racing the single, her buds in the U23 LW4x (into which Betuel is doubling) had to make do with a sub.
When someone in your 4x doubles up in the 1x #fuadsquad #dragmeround#megaworlds @cbcregatta @rbchpg #Rotterdam2016 pic.twitter.com/PBY7MpZRwS
— cb sands-bohrer (@cbsab) August 23, 2016
That's U23 coach C.B. Sands-Bohrer in three seat; Bohrer was a two-time world champion in the LW2x in 1986 and 1989, so she (and the crew) probably did OK.
Finals in the first eight U23 events take place tomorrow, with the USA represented in the U23 W2-, W4-, M4+, M4- and LM2-.
In the Senior events today, USA LM1x Colin Etheridge qualified strongly for the A/B semis in the event, finishing just behind recent LM2x Olympic silver medalist Paul O'Donovan in his quarterfinal.
This is a close one for the front of Q2, O'Donovan and Ethridge are battling it out, IRL USA and CRO make it to semi A/B #Rotterdam2016
— World Rowing (@WorldRowing) August 24, 2016
No one is immune to flipping this summer; today, today's unlucky "winner" was Matthias Taborsky of Austria, who flipped 5 strokes from the finish of his U23 LM1x Quarterfinal while in a qualifying position, ouch.
Taborsky has the better sprint but flips in the last 50 meters! #Rotterdam2016
— World Rowing (@WorldRowing) August 24, 2016
A puzzler from our friends at AvironFrance: cherchez l'erreur!
As we've observed, with 41 events here, there are a lot of folks in Rotterdam.
Never seen a course so full - lunch break training waiting 2 go @ World's in Rotterdam pic.twitter.com/JyWwavqWPu
— martin cross (@martcrossy) August 24, 2016
Rotterdam is also one of the best venues going, bar none.
Finally, it's #megacool!
We’re really loving the #MegaWorlds hashtag :-) #Rotterdam2016
— World Rowing 2016 (@Rowing2016) August 24, 2016
Reminder: FISA's live Video stream of #megaworlds begins tomorrow!
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