Tuesday racing started well after lunchtime in Amsterdam, led off by six reps in the five adaptive categories. The US crews went 50-50 in four events, with men's single sculler Blake Haxton and the LTA Mixed four both advancing to Thursday's A finals, while women's single Katelynne Steinke and the mixed double of Stephanie Cox and Andrew Johnson did not advance, and will row in the B final.
In the men's single, Blake Haxton put himself in Thursday's A final with an even-split row in which he was tied for second at the 500 meter halfway point, but then put 15 second between himself and third place to take the second of two advancing spots. Haxton continues to change up his approach here at his first World Championships.
"I think some things were better, and some things I think I forgot about, and they might have bit me a little bit," he said when comparing the heats to today's rep. "The headwind today was probably a 10-15 mph difference from yesterday, so the feeling there was completely different. Yesterday I think I went out a little too quick, and today I think I overcompensated and went out a little too slow. So we'll try to get it just right on Thursday, but that's racing."
Haxton had set a target for himself of racing in the A final, so it's job done on that account.
"All summer we said our main goal that was reasonable, but would be tough, was to get in the A final, and we did that," he said. "So I think we're pretty happy and satisfied with that. We'll retweak some things tomorrow (in practice), and then it's the final for the World Championships. I don't think it has really sunk it yet, but I'm looking forward to it."
The Legs/Trunk/Arms mixed coxed four got it done in a bit different fashion today, pulling out to a lead early, extending to a couple lengths by the half-way point, and finishing 15 seconds ahead of the field by the finish line.
Bow seat Jaclyn Smith, who rowed in the event last year, said that the crew changed tactics today, to good effect.
"We changed up the race plan a bit, and stuck with it this time," she said. "There was a strong headwind out there, and we knew what we needed to do in order to advance to the final, so we got out there and did it."
On racing from the front, two-seat Richard Vandegrift said the tactic played to their strengths.
"I like getting out in the lead early and seeing the other boats, keep pushing them behind and crushing them," he said. "That's what it is about."
Based on results so far, both crews have a potential shot at the medals come Thursday; stay tuned!
Comments | Log in to comment |
There are no Comments yet
|
row2k's Worlds coverage is brought to you in part by:
row2k's Worlds coverage is brought to you in part by: