Racing for the 2018 World Championships begin on Sunday, September 9, in Plovdiv, Bulgaria. Below, we preview the M1x, W1x, LM1x, and LW1x events.
THE FAVORITE – Swiss sculler Jeannine Gmelin has dominated 2018 after winning her first world championship last year in Sarasota. Gmelin swept all three World Cups this season, won the European Championship and is the sculler to beat in Plovdiv.
MEDAL CONTENDERS – Several strong scullers will take their shot at unseating Gmelin in Bulgaria. Sanita Puspure of Ireland is a top contender, finishing second World Cup I and and World Cup III. Bronze medalist in 2017, Magdelena Lobnig of Austria has been fast this year as well, taking the silver at the European Championship and World Cup II.
Carling Zeeman of Canada made the final last year and finished third at World Cup III. American Kara Kohler will be shooting for a spot on the podium as well.
USA PROSPECTS – Kara Kohler of USTC-Princeton was selected as the USA single for 2018 by virtue of her win at NSR I on April 19 and fourth place finish at World Cup III in Lucerne. This will be Kohler's first world championship regatta in the single after multiple appearances in the quad, including a bronze medal at the 2012 London Olympics. Qualification for the A Final would be a successful regatta for the United States.
2017 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS – Jeannie Gmelin of Switzerland won her first world title in the single sculls, defeating Victoria Thornley of Great Britain by two seconds. Magdalena Lobnig of Austria nipped Sanita Puspure of Ireland to take third. Video here.
THE FAVORITE – Robert Manson of New Zealand has had the strongest season so far, winning World Cup II and World Cup III. Manson also had to contend with the return of fellow countryman, and two-time defending Olympic champion, Mahe Drysdale to the event. Final selection was at World Cup III, where Manson won and Drysdale finished fourth. Drysdale is now rowing the New Zealand men's quad.
MEDAL CONTENDERS - Manson will have his hands full in Plovdiv with a strong field of scullers. Ondrej Synek of the Czech Republic has perfected peaking for the world championships and will be looking to win his sixth title. German sculler Oliver Zeidler is new to the scene at 22 years old, but has shown good speed in 2018, medalling at each World Cup.
Kjetil Borch of Norway won the European Championship and has shown good form in the single this season after success in the double. Lithuanian Mindaugas Griskownis won silver at the European Championships and is always a threat for the podium.
Other scullers to watch out for are Canadian Trevor Jones, who will be making is first start at a senior world championships following two U23 titles in the single in 2017 and 2018. Nico Stahlberg of Switzerland and Natan Wegrzycki-Szymczyk of Poland could also challenge for a spot in the final and on the podium.
USA PROSPECTS – Kevin Meador of Riverside BC will be making his international debut in Plovdiv after winning trials on August 8. Meador previously rowed for Northeastern University, graduating in 2016. Qualification for the semifinals would be a good showing for the USA in the event.
2017 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS – Czech sculler Ondrej Synek used a strong third 500 to defeat Angel Fournier Rodriguez of Cuba by just under three seconds. The win was Synek's fifth world championship title in the single. Tom Barras of Great Britain held of Damir Martin of Croatia for the bronze medal. Video here.
THE FAVORITE – No clear favorite for Plovdiv as all the medalists from 2017 have moved on to the lightweight double event. Alena Furman of Belarus may be a slight favorite following her win at the European Championships last month.
MEDAL CONTENDERS – Several medal contenders are set to race in Bulgaria. American Michelle Sechser will race the single in 2018 following a bronze medal is the double in 2017. Marie-Louise Draeger of Germany won in Lucerne and has experience in multiple events. Laura Tarantola of France finished second at Europeans. Alice Arch of Australia took second at World Cup II.
USA PROSPECTS – Michelle Sechser of Vesper BC won trials on July 8 and will represent the USA in the LW1x for the second time. Sechser previously won the LW1x B Final in 2013 and most recently won bronze in the LW2x at last year's World Championships with Emily Schmeig. Sechser is experienced, but hasn't raced internationally yet this year, however she should contend for a spot in the A Final and potentially a medal.
2017 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS – Kirsten McCann from South Africa broke open a close race at the 1500 meter mark to win her first world championship. Dutch sculler Marieke Keijser lead for most of the race and hung on for silver over American Mary Jones, who sprinted through Patricia Merz of Switzerland and Emma Fredh of Sweden to take the bronze. Video here.
THE FAVORITE – Michael Schmid of Switzerland arrives Plovdiv as a slight favorite. The fourth place finisher in Sarasota has had a good season in 2018 having won Both World Cup III and the European Championship.
MEDAL CONTENDERS – Hamish Parry of Australia finished second in Lucerne and could be a contender for a medal. Martino Goretti of Italy won the silver medal at the European Championship and bronze at World Cup III. Uncas Batista of Brazil made the final in Sarasota and is the current U23 champion in the lightweight single.
Jason Osborne of Germany won the first two World Cups in 2018, his only two events of the season. Finally, American Andrew Campbell makes his return to the event he last competed in 2014, and won the bronze in 2012.
USA PROSPECTS – Andrew Campbell won trials racing for Lincoln Park on July 8, and 2018 will mark the fifth time Campbell will compete at the senior world championships in the lightweight single, with his best finish coming in 2012 where he won a bronze medal. Campbell took 2017 off following a fifth place finish in the LM2x at the Rio Olympics. He showed good form at trials and will be looking to win a medal in Plovdiv.
2017 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS – Irish sculler Paul O'Donovan dominated the last 500 meters of the final to win the final, winning his second consecutive world championship in the lightweight single. Matthew Dunham of New Zealand sprinted from fifth to take the silver over Kristoffer Brun of Norway. Video here.
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08/29/2018 1:37:23 PM