start list Final B (JM4+) start time: 08.08.2009 09:30:00
Lane Boat Country
1 POL Poland
2 RSA South Africa
3 USA United States
4 NZL New Zealand
5 CRO Croatia
start list Final A (JW2-) start time: 08.08.2009 12:00:00
Lane Boat Country
1 ITA Italy
2 RSA South Africa
3 ROU Romania
4 BLR Belarus
5 CHN China
6 USA United States
Friday, August 7, 2009
Funny of the day
Cammile our teams volunteer had the comment of the day "The pair they have strong "go fast"!!!"
JUNIOR WOMENS PAIR A/B SEMI FINAL
JUNIOR WOMEN’S PAIR (JW2-) – SEMIFINALS
The United States may not have been rowing together very long, but they have their starts well sorted. In Semifinal One, Kristine Caroll and Lucy Grindalds of the United States got off the line the fastest. But it was not long before Alena Kryvasheyenka and Anastasiya Skrobut of Belarus were able to push through. Once in the lead the Belarusian’s did what they could to maintain the lead. The Americans then found themselves under threat from Dameng Yin and Tian Miao of China.
The United States never likes to be behind China, but today Yin and Miao were proving better boat speed. A full-on sprint to the line by Yin and Miao gave them the second place spot. Belarus, rating 34, remained in front with the United States crossing the line just ahead of Bulgaria. Belarus, China and the United States made it to tomorrow’s Final.
Semifinal Two saw Romania’s Mihaela Petrila and Andreea Boghian get off the line first. This event was won by Germany last year and the Germans slotted into second, holding on to Romania’s pace. Going through the middle of the race Germany had found the speed too hot. Claire-Louise Bode and Kate Christowitz of South Africa were now in the coveted second place position. Italy then attacked. Laura Basadonna and Martina Valtorta of Italy used a strong middle 1000 to get their nose ahead of Germany and close on South Africa.
In the sprint to the line Romania remained in control at a 34 stroke rate with Italy and South Africa duking it out for the remaining two spots. Romania, South Africa and Italy are in the final.
Rank Boat 500 m 1000 m 1500 m Finish Lane
1 ROU 1:48.15 (1) 3:41.83 (1) 5:35.84 (1) 7:27.84 3
2 RSA 1:49.25 (3) 3:44.71 (2) 5:41.12 (3) 7:33.64 4
3 ITA 1:51.16 (4) 3:46.24 (4) 5:40.73 (2) 7:34.99 5
4 GER 1:48.45 (2) 3:45.99 (3) 5:42.97 (4) 7:38.46 2
5 FRA 1:51.72 (6) 3:48.77 (5) 5:44.54 (5) 7:41.75 1
6 LAT 1:51.40 (5) 3:48.98 (6) 5:46.56 (6) 7:45.44 6
The United States may not have been rowing together very long, but they have their starts well sorted. In Semifinal One, Kristine Caroll and Lucy Grindalds of the United States got off the line the fastest. But it was not long before Alena Kryvasheyenka and Anastasiya Skrobut of Belarus were able to push through. Once in the lead the Belarusian’s did what they could to maintain the lead. The Americans then found themselves under threat from Dameng Yin and Tian Miao of China.
The United States never likes to be behind China, but today Yin and Miao were proving better boat speed. A full-on sprint to the line by Yin and Miao gave them the second place spot. Belarus, rating 34, remained in front with the United States crossing the line just ahead of Bulgaria. Belarus, China and the United States made it to tomorrow’s Final.
Semifinal Two saw Romania’s Mihaela Petrila and Andreea Boghian get off the line first. This event was won by Germany last year and the Germans slotted into second, holding on to Romania’s pace. Going through the middle of the race Germany had found the speed too hot. Claire-Louise Bode and Kate Christowitz of South Africa were now in the coveted second place position. Italy then attacked. Laura Basadonna and Martina Valtorta of Italy used a strong middle 1000 to get their nose ahead of Germany and close on South Africa.
In the sprint to the line Romania remained in control at a 34 stroke rate with Italy and South Africa duking it out for the remaining two spots. Romania, South Africa and Italy are in the final.
Rank Boat 500 m 1000 m 1500 m Finish Lane
1 ROU 1:48.15 (1) 3:41.83 (1) 5:35.84 (1) 7:27.84 3
2 RSA 1:49.25 (3) 3:44.71 (2) 5:41.12 (3) 7:33.64 4
3 ITA 1:51.16 (4) 3:46.24 (4) 5:40.73 (2) 7:34.99 5
4 GER 1:48.45 (2) 3:45.99 (3) 5:42.97 (4) 7:38.46 2
5 FRA 1:51.72 (6) 3:48.77 (5) 5:44.54 (5) 7:41.75 1
6 LAT 1:51.40 (5) 3:48.98 (6) 5:46.56 (6) 7:45.44 6
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Friday Start Lists for Friday Semi Finals
JM1x Semi E/F
Lane Boat Country
1 EGY Egypt
2 PER Peru
3 HKG Hong Kong
4 EST Estonia
5 RSA South Africa
JM2x Semi E/F
Lane Boat Country
1 UZB Uzbekistan
2 EGY Egypt
3 USA United States
4 RSA South Africa
JW1x Semi C/D
Lane Boat Country
1 KAZ Kazhakstan
2 RSA South Africa
3 ITA Italy
4 HKG Hong Kong
5 RUS Russia
6 CHI Chile
JW2- Semi A/B
Lane Boat Country
1 FRA France
2 GER Germany
3 ROU Romania
4 RSA South Africa
5 ITA Italy
6 LAT Latvia
Lane Boat Country
1 EGY Egypt
2 PER Peru
3 HKG Hong Kong
4 EST Estonia
5 RSA South Africa
JM2x Semi E/F
Lane Boat Country
1 UZB Uzbekistan
2 EGY Egypt
3 USA United States
4 RSA South Africa
JW1x Semi C/D
Lane Boat Country
1 KAZ Kazhakstan
2 RSA South Africa
3 ITA Italy
4 HKG Hong Kong
5 RUS Russia
6 CHI Chile
JW2- Semi A/B
Lane Boat Country
1 FRA France
2 GER Germany
3 ROU Romania
4 RSA South Africa
5 ITA Italy
6 LAT Latvia
Results from Thursday Repechages & Quarterfinals
TEXT FROM WORLDROWING.COM
JUNIOR MEN’S COXED FOUR (JM4+) – REPECHAGES
The two repechages required boats to finish in the top two positions if they wanted the chance to race in the Final on Saturday. In Repechage One all crews came out of the start together with only Croatia slipping back early on. By the half way point Italy and Australia had established themselves as the leading boats. These two countries then proceeded to go neck-and-neck, swapping leads as they charged down the 2000m regatta course.
Coming into the line a big push by Australia gave them the edge over Italy, but barely a canvas separated them. The Italian mothers watching from the shore showed their emotions through tears. Australia and Italy had qualified for the Final.
Repechage Two had all boats getting off the line together with Great Britain a nose in front. France, however, was not going to let Great Britain get away and by the half way point the two leading boats remained locked together. Just behind, the United States was pressing hard to get up into a qualifying spot. These three countries conducted the main charge to the line. France, rating 35, had the best sprint. France and Great Britain are on their way to Saturday’s Final.
1 AUS 1:34.71 (2) 3:13.43 (2) 4:54.47 (1) 6:32.47 3
2 ITA 1:34.53 (1) 3:13.19 (1) 4:54.72 (2) 6:33.03 5
3 RSA 1:35.41 (3) 3:18.65 (5) 5:00.14 (4) 6:39.19 4
4 NZL 1:36.47 (4) 3:16.95 (3) 4:59.67 (3) 6:39.95 2
5 CRO 1:37.44 (5) 3:18.40 (4) 5:01.21 (5) 6:43.67 1
JUNIOR WOMEN’S SINGLE SCULLS (JW1x) – QUARTERFINALS
After yesterday’s racing, this field has been narrowed down to 24 boats and today they were divided into the four races with a top three finish needed if they wanted to be in tomorrow’s semifinal. In the first Quarterfinal Germany’s Lisa Schmidla recorded the fastest qualifying time overall. Schmidla was the only boat to go under eight minutes and she did it by leading from start to finish, keeping the pressure on right to the line.
Despite having an open water lead by the half way point, Schmidla pressed on and she kept her rating high through the second half of the race. Second time junior, Schmidla then sprinted the finish at a 36 stroke rate pace. After overtaking Virginia Diaz Rivas of Spain in the final 500m, Slovenia’s Anja Sesum crossed the line in second. Diaz Rivas qualified from third.
The second Quarterfinal had Ting Cao of China out in front at the start. But Nataliya Dovgodko of Ukraine was not going to let Cao get away. Dovgodko, who is in her third year of racing in this event, kept the pressure on and in the third 500 had closed the gap in Cao. Meanwhile Tomomi Akao of Japan had pushed past the United States and worked her way into the third. Akao raced last year in the quad finishing 15th overall. It looks like the single suits her well as she fought to keep her qualifying spot through to the line. China and Ukraine sprinted to the line, Cao rating 36 and Ukraine on an effective 31. China, Ukraine and Japan were the qualifying boats.
The level of crowd involvement picked up for Quarterfinal Three as Helen Lefebvre of France was featuring. At the start Hungary’s Kristina Gyimes was in the lead. Gyimes, 17, is at her first international event and her lead remained through the body of the race. Then coming into the final 500m Gyimes was running out of steam. To the crowd’s delight Lefebvre was going for all she was worth. So was Aimee Hernandez of Cuba. France and Cuba rated 36, Gyimes was on 38 and trying to hold on. France, Cuba and Hungary had made it to the semifinal.
Quarterfinal Four saw Palina Drahun of Belarus get off the line at a cracking pace. Austria’s Lisa Farthofer and Rachel Gamble-Flint of Great Britain were the only boats that looked to be able to keep Drahun’s pace. Drahun is at her first international regatta and is part of the big rowing push that is currently happening in Belarus. Coming into the final sprint Farthofer had slipped back but was still in a qualifying spot while Gamble-Flint was challenging Drahun with every stroke. Drahun’s rating slipped to 29, Gamble-Flint was managing 33. Great Britain reached the line first. Great Britain, Belarus and Austria went to the semifinal.
1 FRA 1:58.60 (3) 4:03.90 (3) 6:08.55 (2) 8:06.78 4
2 CUB 1:57.84 (2) 4:03.32 (2) 6:09.87 (3) 8:07.06 3
3 HUN 1:56.65 (1) 4:01.34 (1) 6:06.86 (1) 8:09.06 5
4 LAT 1:59.24 (4) 4:04.47 (4) 6:10.33 (4) 8:11.59 1
5 RSA 2:01.18 (6) 4:06.45 (5) 6:15.05 (5) 8:25.43 2
6 CHI 2:00.25 (5) 4:10.23 (6) 6:22.60 (6) 8:37.70 6
JUNIOR MEN’S COXED FOUR (JM4+) – REPECHAGES
The two repechages required boats to finish in the top two positions if they wanted the chance to race in the Final on Saturday. In Repechage One all crews came out of the start together with only Croatia slipping back early on. By the half way point Italy and Australia had established themselves as the leading boats. These two countries then proceeded to go neck-and-neck, swapping leads as they charged down the 2000m regatta course.
Coming into the line a big push by Australia gave them the edge over Italy, but barely a canvas separated them. The Italian mothers watching from the shore showed their emotions through tears. Australia and Italy had qualified for the Final.
Repechage Two had all boats getting off the line together with Great Britain a nose in front. France, however, was not going to let Great Britain get away and by the half way point the two leading boats remained locked together. Just behind, the United States was pressing hard to get up into a qualifying spot. These three countries conducted the main charge to the line. France, rating 35, had the best sprint. France and Great Britain are on their way to Saturday’s Final.
1 AUS 1:34.71 (2) 3:13.43 (2) 4:54.47 (1) 6:32.47 3
2 ITA 1:34.53 (1) 3:13.19 (1) 4:54.72 (2) 6:33.03 5
3 RSA 1:35.41 (3) 3:18.65 (5) 5:00.14 (4) 6:39.19 4
4 NZL 1:36.47 (4) 3:16.95 (3) 4:59.67 (3) 6:39.95 2
5 CRO 1:37.44 (5) 3:18.40 (4) 5:01.21 (5) 6:43.67 1
JUNIOR WOMEN’S SINGLE SCULLS (JW1x) – QUARTERFINALS
After yesterday’s racing, this field has been narrowed down to 24 boats and today they were divided into the four races with a top three finish needed if they wanted to be in tomorrow’s semifinal. In the first Quarterfinal Germany’s Lisa Schmidla recorded the fastest qualifying time overall. Schmidla was the only boat to go under eight minutes and she did it by leading from start to finish, keeping the pressure on right to the line.
Despite having an open water lead by the half way point, Schmidla pressed on and she kept her rating high through the second half of the race. Second time junior, Schmidla then sprinted the finish at a 36 stroke rate pace. After overtaking Virginia Diaz Rivas of Spain in the final 500m, Slovenia’s Anja Sesum crossed the line in second. Diaz Rivas qualified from third.
The second Quarterfinal had Ting Cao of China out in front at the start. But Nataliya Dovgodko of Ukraine was not going to let Cao get away. Dovgodko, who is in her third year of racing in this event, kept the pressure on and in the third 500 had closed the gap in Cao. Meanwhile Tomomi Akao of Japan had pushed past the United States and worked her way into the third. Akao raced last year in the quad finishing 15th overall. It looks like the single suits her well as she fought to keep her qualifying spot through to the line. China and Ukraine sprinted to the line, Cao rating 36 and Ukraine on an effective 31. China, Ukraine and Japan were the qualifying boats.
The level of crowd involvement picked up for Quarterfinal Three as Helen Lefebvre of France was featuring. At the start Hungary’s Kristina Gyimes was in the lead. Gyimes, 17, is at her first international event and her lead remained through the body of the race. Then coming into the final 500m Gyimes was running out of steam. To the crowd’s delight Lefebvre was going for all she was worth. So was Aimee Hernandez of Cuba. France and Cuba rated 36, Gyimes was on 38 and trying to hold on. France, Cuba and Hungary had made it to the semifinal.
Quarterfinal Four saw Palina Drahun of Belarus get off the line at a cracking pace. Austria’s Lisa Farthofer and Rachel Gamble-Flint of Great Britain were the only boats that looked to be able to keep Drahun’s pace. Drahun is at her first international regatta and is part of the big rowing push that is currently happening in Belarus. Coming into the final sprint Farthofer had slipped back but was still in a qualifying spot while Gamble-Flint was challenging Drahun with every stroke. Drahun’s rating slipped to 29, Gamble-Flint was managing 33. Great Britain reached the line first. Great Britain, Belarus and Austria went to the semifinal.
1 FRA 1:58.60 (3) 4:03.90 (3) 6:08.55 (2) 8:06.78 4
2 CUB 1:57.84 (2) 4:03.32 (2) 6:09.87 (3) 8:07.06 3
3 HUN 1:56.65 (1) 4:01.34 (1) 6:06.86 (1) 8:09.06 5
4 LAT 1:59.24 (4) 4:04.47 (4) 6:10.33 (4) 8:11.59 1
5 RSA 2:01.18 (6) 4:06.45 (5) 6:15.05 (5) 8:25.43 2
6 CHI 2:00.25 (5) 4:10.23 (6) 6:22.60 (6) 8:37.70 6
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Results From Wednesday Heats & Repechages
TEXT FROM FISA WORLDROWING
JUNIOR MEN’S COXED FOUR (JM4+) – HEATS
The 11 countries lined up and divided into two heats were aiming for a first place finish to get a direct path to the Final. Last year Germany and Great Britain were the two leading nations. Would they be back on top this year? These two nations were drawn in the first heat together, Germany in the outside lane and Great Britain in the middle of the field. Right from the start it was evident who had the speed.
Germany leaped into the lead in Heat One and by the half way point had nearly a boat length lead over Australia in second. Meanwhile Great Britain was desperately trying to work their way back from a very slow start. Great Britain, coxed by first timer, Rory Copus worked their way up into fourth position, but were never in striking distance of Germany.
Germany took out Heat One and will go directly to the Final.
Heat Two presented the rowing spectators with the first real race of the morning. The race unfolded with South Africa taking a small lead over Canada. These two boats then proceeded to go head to head through the body of the race with New Zealand also very much on the pace. A huge push by the United States in the third quarter got the Americans into striking distance of the three leading boats. A big sprint to the finish line was necessary.
South Africa did not have enough left and they found themselves being overtaken when the United States and Canada charged for the end. Canada, rating 36 strokes per minute, got there first despite a speedy finish by the Americans. Canada are going to the Final.
1 CAN 1:32.46 (2) 3:10.40 (2) 4:49.59 (2) 6:24.77 5
2 USA 1:34.87 (5) 3:12.75 (5) 4:51.25 (4) 6:25.75 1
3 NZL 1:34.11 (3) 3:11.36 (3) 4:50.23 (3) 6:28.15 4
4 RSA 1:31.87 (1) 3:09.58 (1) 4:49.35 (1) 6:30.84 2
5 POL 1:34.40 (4) 3:12.04 (4) 4:51.87 (5) 6:33.76 3
JUNIOR WOMEN’S SINGLE SCULLS (JW1X) – HEATS
This huge field of 31 countries featured nations from around the world – Peru was there as well as Iran and, of course, the nations known for their junior rowers including Germany, France and Italy. Last year the top two nations were Germany and the United States. Today Germany lined up in the first of six heats. The goal here was to finish in the top three positions to ensure a direct path to tomorrow’s quarterfinals.
Lisa Schmidla of Germany won a medal last year in her country’s women’s eight. In Heat One of the single Schmidla got off to a great start and used her comfortable lead to extend her dominance. Hungary followed in second with Korea slotted into third. The differences in skills appeared evident as the field remained very spread out right to the line. Germany, Hungary and Korea go to the quarterfinal. Schmidla recorded the fastest qualifying time.
Spain and Belarus were the two leading crews in Heat Two. Virginia Diaz Rivas of Spain is on her first national team and at her first international regatta. Despite this Rivas looked in control and as the race progressed she managed to extend her lead over Belarus. At the line Spain, Belarus and South Africa took the qualifying spots for the quarterfinal, Spain sneaking in just below the magical eight minute time.
China’s Ting Cao led the way in Heat Three. Cao, like Rivas, is competing in her first international event and she made sure that she got off to a fine start by remaining in the confidence-enhancing front position. Slovenia followed in second and kept Cao honest, but the Chinese, rating 26 strokes per minute, looked relaxed in the final stretch. China, Slovenia and 13 year old Natalia Sanchez Roias of Chile are in the quarterfinal. Russia originally finished third, but boat weighing after the race recorded an underweight boat and hence Russia is relegated to race in the repechage.
Heat Four presented the boat speed of Nataliya Dovgodko of Ukraine. Dovgodko is one of the most experienced rowers in this event. She has raced for the last two years at the junior worlds although she is yet to make an A-final. Last year Dovgodko finished ninth overall but her win today in Heat Four was accomplished in the second fastest qualifying time. Rating 31 at the finish Dovgodko will go to the quarterfinal along with Austria and Japan who finished second and third respectively.
A big cheer went up for Helene Lefebvre of France as she came into the finish line in Heat Five. Lefebvre is on the French national team for the second time after racing last year in the double. Lefebvre did not have an easy race of it. Nicole Bielawski of the United States led at the start and the two countries remained head-to-head through the body of the race. Bielawski then seemed to give it away in the final sprint, satisfied to finish second. Lefebvre kept the pressure on to the end. France, United States and Hong Kong China go to the quarterfinal.
The finishing order was sorted out early on in Heat Six. Great Britain’s Rachel Gamble-Flint had the fastest start and established herself in the lead with Cuba and Bulgaria slotting into second and third respectively. Gamble-Flint was fifth last year in the double and looks to have switched successfully to the single for 2009. It looks like Gamble-Flint will be the big challenger to Schmidla and Dovgodko over the coming days of racing. Great Britain, Cuba and Bulgaria move on to the quarterfinal.
1 ESP 1:51.98 (1) 3:49.77 (1) 5:53.23 (1) 7:59.01 1
2 BLR 1:52.39 (2) 3:52.88 (2) 5:57.53 (2) 8:02.21 3
3 RSA 2:00.13 (5) 4:03.22 (3) 6:10.80 (3) 8:18.38 4
4 PER 1:57.68 (3) 4:06.86 (4) 6:20.71 (4) 8:34.06 5
5 CYP 1:59.80 (4) 4:14.38 (5) 6:30.41 (5) 8:41.92 2
JUNIOR MEN’S SINGLE SCULLS (JM1x) – HEATS
The biggest field of the regatta, 36 countries lined up for the men’s single. Last year the top three boats were Bulgaria, Germany and Australia. This year two of these countries have reappeared. Today the 36 boats were divided into six heats with the top three boats in each heat earning a direct path to the quarterfinal.
Germany’s Felix Bach lined up in Heat One. Seventeen year old Bach is on the national team for the first time and he looked very able to uphold the high German junior standards as he overtook Greece, then Brazil and then held off strong challenges from the unrelenting Fabio Moreira of Brazil. The German – Brazilian battle meant that both countries were still going for it into the final sprint, Brazil rating a couple of beats higher. Germany, Brazil and Belarus went to the quarterfinal.
In Heat Two Poland’s Kamil Zajkowski did a fine job of cleaning up his opposition. Zajkowski, 18, is on his first national team and he got off to a great start by leading the entire race. France’s Clement Duret did a fine job of attacking Zajkowski, but the Pole was just that bit stronger. Poland, France and Cuba went to the quarterfinal.
Milos Vasic of Serbia was the leader of the pack in Heat Three. Vasic raced last year in the coxed four and just missed out on a medal. Today he looked comfortable as he moved away from Denmark to earn an open water lead. Coming into the line, Denmark’s Emil Laursen threw down a last 100m sprint, upping his stroke rate to 41. Vasic, on 31, continued to hold the lead. Serbia, Denmark and Bulgaria are in the quarterfinal.
It is not often that Tunisia has the lead at an international event, but today Med Houssem Laouiti of Tunisia stepped up to the mark and overtook Georgia at the start to be the leader for the rest of the race in Heat Four. Slovakia challenged Laouiti, but Laouiti was stronger. Tunisia, Slovakia and Russia went to the quarterfinal.
Olexandr Nadtoka of Ukraine had an absolutely devastating start in Heat Five. This gave the Ukrainian a clear water lead with only 500m rowed. The United States then slipped into second with China following in third. Nadtoka raced in the quad as a junior last year – perhaps this helped him to establish fast starts. Throughout the race Matthew Maddamma of the United States closed the gap on Nadtoka, but could not reach him in the remaining water. Ukraine, United States and China went to the quarterfinal.
Heat Six was led by Daniel Matyasovszki of Hungary. The Hungarian got his nose ahead of Croatia who initially remained on the leaders pace. But the Hungarian never really had to push it and his finishing time was far off any real international boat speed. Hungary, Croatia and El Salvador went to the quarterfinal.
1 TUN 1:42.70 (2) 3:31.82 (1) 5:22.94 (1) 7:16.46 2
2 SVK 1:45.10 (3) 3:32.89 (2) 5:26.15 (2) 7:18.86 3
3 RUS 1:47.23 (5) 3:38.16 (4) 5:27.05 (3) 7:21.11 6
4 GEO 1:42.43 (1) 3:33.83 (3) 5:28.82 (4) 7:29.34 4
5 HKG 1:46.44 (4) 3:41.19 (5) 5:39.65 (5) 7:43.47 1
6 RSA 1:51.63 (6) 3:54.11 (6) 5:58.89 (6) 8:03.25 5
JUNIOR WOMEN’S PAIR (JW2-) – HEATS
The three heats required boats to finish in the top two positions if they wanted a direct path to the semifinal. Last year Bulgaria finished fourth in this event. Today the nation raced in Heat One. Petrya Mavrova and Luiza-Mariya Rusinova of Bulgaria are one of the only crews today to be the same as 2008. This must give them a huge advantage. Although the duo came out in third at the start, they managed to get in front of South Africa and the United States to finish first. In one of the tightest races of the morning, these three countries remained locked together for the entire race. The United States was the unlucky one and will have to return for the repechage. Bulgaria and South Africa go to the semifinal.
Romania won silver last year in this event. Today they raced in Heat Two and found the strongest challenge coming from China and France. By the half way point, Mihaela Petrila and Andreea Boghian of Romania had shaken off France and then worked on getting away from China. The Chinese were unrelenting. The boats remained neck-and-neck in the final sprint, Romania staying just a fraction in front. Romania and China are in the semifinal.
Heat Three featured last year’s bronze medallists, Belarus. Both rowers, however, are new to international rowing so a different combination to the 2008 medallists. They showed confidence and style by racing at the head of the field over Germany. Belarus rated 30 strokes per minute in the close of the race and will go to the semifinal along with Germany.
1 BUL 1:49.85 (3) 3:44.80 (3) 5:41.13 (3) 7:30.49 3
2 RSA 1:48.86 (2) 3:41.98 (2) 5:38.34 (2) 7:31.78 5
3 USA 1:45.74 (1) 3:40.68 (1) 5:37.92 (1) 7:32.03 6
4 GRE 1:51.43 (5) 3:47.35 (4) 5:45.34 (4) 7:43.53 1
5 HUN 1:51.09 (4) 3:48.97 (5) 5:52.68 (5) 7:59.58 4
6 IND 1:57.72 (6) 4:00.73 (6) 6:04.65 (6) 8:07.49 2
JUNIOR MEN’S DOUBLE SCULLS (JM2x) – HEATS
This event attracted 34 nations and they were divided into six heats with the top three in each heat earning a spot in tomorrow’s quarterfinal. Germany, Lithuania and Australia finished first, second and third in 2008, but this year was a clean slate at the start of the 2000m course.
Heat One opened with Germany hoping to set the standard. Hubert Trzybinski and Timo Piontek are in their first season together with Trzybinski being a junior World Champion from last year’s quad. The Germans kept the power on through the majority of the race as they held the lead over Italy. Coming into the final sprint, Piontek and Trzybinski seemed content to just hold their spot and their 24 stroke rate made them look like they were out for a training row. Italy and Portugal qualify for the quarterfinal from second and third spots respectively.
Lithuania led Heat Two at the start and coming through the third 500 they had built up over a boat length lead. But then France, who had been sitting in second, on hearing the crowd support, upped their rating and charged for the line. Rating 35 strokes per minute to Lithuania’s 28, France’s Mathieu Lissoir and Fabien Cornier crossed the line first. France, Lithuania and Croatia advance directly to the quarterfinal.
Heat Three sorted out the top three boats early in the piece. Serbia’s Djeric Radoje and Jovan Jovanovic slipped away in first followed by Denmark and Greece. This order remained the same through the body of the race. But then Denmark pulled out a huge sprint, rating 39 strokes per minute, to bear down on Serbia. Serbia, rating 30, seemed relatively unconcerned and just managed to stay in front. Serbia, Denmark and Greece made it to the quarterfinal.
China’s Yueqi Zeng and Hongjun Hu recorded the fastest qualifying time in Heat Four. But they did not do it by leading from start to finish. Quite the contrary. China came out of the start in fourth and then managed to work their way up into second by the half way point. From here they kept the pressure on through the third 500 so that by the final sprint, China had pulled into the lead. Switzerland, in second, challenged back using a 42 stroke rate sprint. But China, on 38, held them off. China, Switzerland and Romania will go to the quarterfinal.
As the temperature continued to rise through the afternoon, junior rowers lined up in Heat Five. Oleksandr Gurzhii and Anton Bondarenko of Ukraine showed that they were in a completely different class right from the start. The duo were so far ahead, even with just 500m rowed, that it looked like two races were going on. At the finish Gurzhii and Bondarenko were nearly 30 seconds ahead of Cyprus in second. Ukraine, Cyprus and Algeria are the qualifying crews.
The final heat, Heat Six opened with Slovenia in the lead. Tadej Japelj and Gasper Kokalj of Slovenia both raced in the quad last year finishing 12th. In the double they got off to a great start leaving the rest of the field to battle it out for second and third. Going through the middle of the race, four crews still very much had a shot at qualifying. Then Moldova dropped off the pace and the fight was left between the Czech Republic, Belgium and Bulgaria. Bulgaria upped their rating to 39. The Czech Republic did not have a good enough sprint. Slovenia, Bulgaria and Belgium will go to the quarterfinal.
1 SRB 1:33.01 (1) 3:12.26 (1) 4:54.02 (1) 6:38.66 4
2 DEN 1:35.10 (2) 3:15.52 (2) 4:59.04 (2) 6:40.51 3
3 GRE 1:36.67 (3) 3:18.97 (3) 5:02.40 (3) 6:44.16 6
4 USA 1:42.08 (5) 3:27.53 (5) 5:09.65 (4) 6:52.68 5
5 TUR 1:38.34 (4) 3:25.52 (4) 5:14.81 (5) 7:04.67 1
6 RSA 1:44.78 (6) 3:36.66 (6) 5:28.83 (6) 7:20.06 2
JUNIOR MEN’S SINGLE SCULLS (JM1x) – REPECHAGES
Being the biggest event at this regatta, 17 boats lined up in three repechages and their aim was to be in the top two for a chance to race in tomorrow’s quarterfinals. Repechage One opened with Vasileios Kourtis of Greece in the lead. Kourtis joins the Greek national team for the first time this year and he managed to keep his boat just ahead of Alvis Berzins of Latvia. Berzins put up a good fight through the middle of the race and then tried to close the gap again in the final sprint. But it was purely academic as Kourtis and Berzins both held the qualifying spots with Japan, in third, a bit too far back to truly attack.
These repechages introduce many developing rowing nations to the international rowing scene and Repechage Two was a clear reflection of this. At the start Albania’s Marsel Nikaj showed his early speed. With Egypt being the closest challenger. Egypt then began to slip back giving Hong Kong China a chance to move on up. But distances were close and coming into the final sprint Sangmin Lee of Korea was able to use his extra stamina to get into second and move on Nikaj in first. In the sprint to the line Lee upped his stroke rate to 37. Nikaj, at 33 could not hold off Lee. Lee and Nikaj earned a spot in the quarterfinal from first and second respectively.
Zan Cvet of Slovenia is 18 years old and 190cm tall and is in his second year on the junior team. All of these points are relevant as it gives him good odds that he will do well. In Repechage Three Cvet may not have been the fastest starter but he did what was necessary to keep close tabs on leader, Georgi Bagaturia of Georgia and sneaked into first at the end. Bagaturia, underrating Cvet, crossed the line just behind Cvet. These are the two boats that will be going to the quarterfinals.
1 GRE 1:50.29 (1) 3:44.58 (1) 5:39.46 (1) 7:33.11 3
2 LAT 1:51.25 (2) 3:46.47 (2) 5:42.77 (2) 7:35.55 2
3 JPN 1:54.10 (5) 3:49.30 (3) 5:47.24 (4) 7:41.09 4
4 PER 1:52.19 (3) 3:49.48 (4) 5:45.68 (3) 7:41.70 1
5 RSA 1:53.37 (4) 3:55.06 (5) 6:02.14 (5) 8:07.90 6
JUNIOR MEN’S QUAD SCULLS (JM4x) – REPECHAGES
The three repechages in this last event of the day required boats to take a top two position if they wanted to keep their advancement chances alive. In Repechage One, the 63rd race of the day, the United States made out the best in these hot conditions. Stroked by Michael Wales, the US had to hold off a strong challenge from China for the entire 2000m course. China used aggression, the United States focused more on synchronicity. The two boats qualified for the quarterfinals, the United States finishing in front rating three beats lower than the Chinese.
Belarus led the way in Repechage Two and in this lead they managed to record the fastest repechage time. With Vitaly Horshva in stroke seat, Belarus held off Greece who held a steady pace throughout the race in second place. Greece had to keep an eye out for Portugal which in turn pushed them towards Belarus. The Portuguese did not have enough oomph to get into the qualifying positions. Belarus and Greece will go to the quarterfinals.
Japan must have given Romania quite a surprise in the final Repechage. Romania got out in front followed by Slovenia. But by the half way point it was Japan that was posing the major threat to Romania’s leading position. In the final sprint both boats, side by side, raced for the line. Japan, underrating Romania by two beats, was holding up. Romania crossed the line just in front and both boats qualified for tomorrow’s quarterfinals.
1 LAT 1:39.99 (1) 3:27.33 (1) 5:19.99 (1) 7:13.00 3
2 ZIM 1:41.93 (2) 3:31.94 (2) 5:24.68 (2) 7:16.35 4
3 ISR 1:45.16 (3) 3:38.99 (3) 5:34.21 (3) 7:22.88 2
4 RSA 1:48.89 (4) 3:43.48 (4) 5:44.59 (4) 7:38.94 1
5 QAT 1:54.89 (5) 4:03.50 (5) 6:10.36 (5) 8:14.42 5
JUNIOR MEN’S COXED FOUR (JM4+) – HEATS
The 11 countries lined up and divided into two heats were aiming for a first place finish to get a direct path to the Final. Last year Germany and Great Britain were the two leading nations. Would they be back on top this year? These two nations were drawn in the first heat together, Germany in the outside lane and Great Britain in the middle of the field. Right from the start it was evident who had the speed.
Germany leaped into the lead in Heat One and by the half way point had nearly a boat length lead over Australia in second. Meanwhile Great Britain was desperately trying to work their way back from a very slow start. Great Britain, coxed by first timer, Rory Copus worked their way up into fourth position, but were never in striking distance of Germany.
Germany took out Heat One and will go directly to the Final.
Heat Two presented the rowing spectators with the first real race of the morning. The race unfolded with South Africa taking a small lead over Canada. These two boats then proceeded to go head to head through the body of the race with New Zealand also very much on the pace. A huge push by the United States in the third quarter got the Americans into striking distance of the three leading boats. A big sprint to the finish line was necessary.
South Africa did not have enough left and they found themselves being overtaken when the United States and Canada charged for the end. Canada, rating 36 strokes per minute, got there first despite a speedy finish by the Americans. Canada are going to the Final.
1 CAN 1:32.46 (2) 3:10.40 (2) 4:49.59 (2) 6:24.77 5
2 USA 1:34.87 (5) 3:12.75 (5) 4:51.25 (4) 6:25.75 1
3 NZL 1:34.11 (3) 3:11.36 (3) 4:50.23 (3) 6:28.15 4
4 RSA 1:31.87 (1) 3:09.58 (1) 4:49.35 (1) 6:30.84 2
5 POL 1:34.40 (4) 3:12.04 (4) 4:51.87 (5) 6:33.76 3
JUNIOR WOMEN’S SINGLE SCULLS (JW1X) – HEATS
This huge field of 31 countries featured nations from around the world – Peru was there as well as Iran and, of course, the nations known for their junior rowers including Germany, France and Italy. Last year the top two nations were Germany and the United States. Today Germany lined up in the first of six heats. The goal here was to finish in the top three positions to ensure a direct path to tomorrow’s quarterfinals.
Lisa Schmidla of Germany won a medal last year in her country’s women’s eight. In Heat One of the single Schmidla got off to a great start and used her comfortable lead to extend her dominance. Hungary followed in second with Korea slotted into third. The differences in skills appeared evident as the field remained very spread out right to the line. Germany, Hungary and Korea go to the quarterfinal. Schmidla recorded the fastest qualifying time.
Spain and Belarus were the two leading crews in Heat Two. Virginia Diaz Rivas of Spain is on her first national team and at her first international regatta. Despite this Rivas looked in control and as the race progressed she managed to extend her lead over Belarus. At the line Spain, Belarus and South Africa took the qualifying spots for the quarterfinal, Spain sneaking in just below the magical eight minute time.
China’s Ting Cao led the way in Heat Three. Cao, like Rivas, is competing in her first international event and she made sure that she got off to a fine start by remaining in the confidence-enhancing front position. Slovenia followed in second and kept Cao honest, but the Chinese, rating 26 strokes per minute, looked relaxed in the final stretch. China, Slovenia and 13 year old Natalia Sanchez Roias of Chile are in the quarterfinal. Russia originally finished third, but boat weighing after the race recorded an underweight boat and hence Russia is relegated to race in the repechage.
Heat Four presented the boat speed of Nataliya Dovgodko of Ukraine. Dovgodko is one of the most experienced rowers in this event. She has raced for the last two years at the junior worlds although she is yet to make an A-final. Last year Dovgodko finished ninth overall but her win today in Heat Four was accomplished in the second fastest qualifying time. Rating 31 at the finish Dovgodko will go to the quarterfinal along with Austria and Japan who finished second and third respectively.
A big cheer went up for Helene Lefebvre of France as she came into the finish line in Heat Five. Lefebvre is on the French national team for the second time after racing last year in the double. Lefebvre did not have an easy race of it. Nicole Bielawski of the United States led at the start and the two countries remained head-to-head through the body of the race. Bielawski then seemed to give it away in the final sprint, satisfied to finish second. Lefebvre kept the pressure on to the end. France, United States and Hong Kong China go to the quarterfinal.
The finishing order was sorted out early on in Heat Six. Great Britain’s Rachel Gamble-Flint had the fastest start and established herself in the lead with Cuba and Bulgaria slotting into second and third respectively. Gamble-Flint was fifth last year in the double and looks to have switched successfully to the single for 2009. It looks like Gamble-Flint will be the big challenger to Schmidla and Dovgodko over the coming days of racing. Great Britain, Cuba and Bulgaria move on to the quarterfinal.
1 ESP 1:51.98 (1) 3:49.77 (1) 5:53.23 (1) 7:59.01 1
2 BLR 1:52.39 (2) 3:52.88 (2) 5:57.53 (2) 8:02.21 3
3 RSA 2:00.13 (5) 4:03.22 (3) 6:10.80 (3) 8:18.38 4
4 PER 1:57.68 (3) 4:06.86 (4) 6:20.71 (4) 8:34.06 5
5 CYP 1:59.80 (4) 4:14.38 (5) 6:30.41 (5) 8:41.92 2
JUNIOR MEN’S SINGLE SCULLS (JM1x) – HEATS
The biggest field of the regatta, 36 countries lined up for the men’s single. Last year the top three boats were Bulgaria, Germany and Australia. This year two of these countries have reappeared. Today the 36 boats were divided into six heats with the top three boats in each heat earning a direct path to the quarterfinal.
Germany’s Felix Bach lined up in Heat One. Seventeen year old Bach is on the national team for the first time and he looked very able to uphold the high German junior standards as he overtook Greece, then Brazil and then held off strong challenges from the unrelenting Fabio Moreira of Brazil. The German – Brazilian battle meant that both countries were still going for it into the final sprint, Brazil rating a couple of beats higher. Germany, Brazil and Belarus went to the quarterfinal.
In Heat Two Poland’s Kamil Zajkowski did a fine job of cleaning up his opposition. Zajkowski, 18, is on his first national team and he got off to a great start by leading the entire race. France’s Clement Duret did a fine job of attacking Zajkowski, but the Pole was just that bit stronger. Poland, France and Cuba went to the quarterfinal.
Milos Vasic of Serbia was the leader of the pack in Heat Three. Vasic raced last year in the coxed four and just missed out on a medal. Today he looked comfortable as he moved away from Denmark to earn an open water lead. Coming into the line, Denmark’s Emil Laursen threw down a last 100m sprint, upping his stroke rate to 41. Vasic, on 31, continued to hold the lead. Serbia, Denmark and Bulgaria are in the quarterfinal.
It is not often that Tunisia has the lead at an international event, but today Med Houssem Laouiti of Tunisia stepped up to the mark and overtook Georgia at the start to be the leader for the rest of the race in Heat Four. Slovakia challenged Laouiti, but Laouiti was stronger. Tunisia, Slovakia and Russia went to the quarterfinal.
Olexandr Nadtoka of Ukraine had an absolutely devastating start in Heat Five. This gave the Ukrainian a clear water lead with only 500m rowed. The United States then slipped into second with China following in third. Nadtoka raced in the quad as a junior last year – perhaps this helped him to establish fast starts. Throughout the race Matthew Maddamma of the United States closed the gap on Nadtoka, but could not reach him in the remaining water. Ukraine, United States and China went to the quarterfinal.
Heat Six was led by Daniel Matyasovszki of Hungary. The Hungarian got his nose ahead of Croatia who initially remained on the leaders pace. But the Hungarian never really had to push it and his finishing time was far off any real international boat speed. Hungary, Croatia and El Salvador went to the quarterfinal.
1 TUN 1:42.70 (2) 3:31.82 (1) 5:22.94 (1) 7:16.46 2
2 SVK 1:45.10 (3) 3:32.89 (2) 5:26.15 (2) 7:18.86 3
3 RUS 1:47.23 (5) 3:38.16 (4) 5:27.05 (3) 7:21.11 6
4 GEO 1:42.43 (1) 3:33.83 (3) 5:28.82 (4) 7:29.34 4
5 HKG 1:46.44 (4) 3:41.19 (5) 5:39.65 (5) 7:43.47 1
6 RSA 1:51.63 (6) 3:54.11 (6) 5:58.89 (6) 8:03.25 5
JUNIOR WOMEN’S PAIR (JW2-) – HEATS
The three heats required boats to finish in the top two positions if they wanted a direct path to the semifinal. Last year Bulgaria finished fourth in this event. Today the nation raced in Heat One. Petrya Mavrova and Luiza-Mariya Rusinova of Bulgaria are one of the only crews today to be the same as 2008. This must give them a huge advantage. Although the duo came out in third at the start, they managed to get in front of South Africa and the United States to finish first. In one of the tightest races of the morning, these three countries remained locked together for the entire race. The United States was the unlucky one and will have to return for the repechage. Bulgaria and South Africa go to the semifinal.
Romania won silver last year in this event. Today they raced in Heat Two and found the strongest challenge coming from China and France. By the half way point, Mihaela Petrila and Andreea Boghian of Romania had shaken off France and then worked on getting away from China. The Chinese were unrelenting. The boats remained neck-and-neck in the final sprint, Romania staying just a fraction in front. Romania and China are in the semifinal.
Heat Three featured last year’s bronze medallists, Belarus. Both rowers, however, are new to international rowing so a different combination to the 2008 medallists. They showed confidence and style by racing at the head of the field over Germany. Belarus rated 30 strokes per minute in the close of the race and will go to the semifinal along with Germany.
1 BUL 1:49.85 (3) 3:44.80 (3) 5:41.13 (3) 7:30.49 3
2 RSA 1:48.86 (2) 3:41.98 (2) 5:38.34 (2) 7:31.78 5
3 USA 1:45.74 (1) 3:40.68 (1) 5:37.92 (1) 7:32.03 6
4 GRE 1:51.43 (5) 3:47.35 (4) 5:45.34 (4) 7:43.53 1
5 HUN 1:51.09 (4) 3:48.97 (5) 5:52.68 (5) 7:59.58 4
6 IND 1:57.72 (6) 4:00.73 (6) 6:04.65 (6) 8:07.49 2
JUNIOR MEN’S DOUBLE SCULLS (JM2x) – HEATS
This event attracted 34 nations and they were divided into six heats with the top three in each heat earning a spot in tomorrow’s quarterfinal. Germany, Lithuania and Australia finished first, second and third in 2008, but this year was a clean slate at the start of the 2000m course.
Heat One opened with Germany hoping to set the standard. Hubert Trzybinski and Timo Piontek are in their first season together with Trzybinski being a junior World Champion from last year’s quad. The Germans kept the power on through the majority of the race as they held the lead over Italy. Coming into the final sprint, Piontek and Trzybinski seemed content to just hold their spot and their 24 stroke rate made them look like they were out for a training row. Italy and Portugal qualify for the quarterfinal from second and third spots respectively.
Lithuania led Heat Two at the start and coming through the third 500 they had built up over a boat length lead. But then France, who had been sitting in second, on hearing the crowd support, upped their rating and charged for the line. Rating 35 strokes per minute to Lithuania’s 28, France’s Mathieu Lissoir and Fabien Cornier crossed the line first. France, Lithuania and Croatia advance directly to the quarterfinal.
Heat Three sorted out the top three boats early in the piece. Serbia’s Djeric Radoje and Jovan Jovanovic slipped away in first followed by Denmark and Greece. This order remained the same through the body of the race. But then Denmark pulled out a huge sprint, rating 39 strokes per minute, to bear down on Serbia. Serbia, rating 30, seemed relatively unconcerned and just managed to stay in front. Serbia, Denmark and Greece made it to the quarterfinal.
China’s Yueqi Zeng and Hongjun Hu recorded the fastest qualifying time in Heat Four. But they did not do it by leading from start to finish. Quite the contrary. China came out of the start in fourth and then managed to work their way up into second by the half way point. From here they kept the pressure on through the third 500 so that by the final sprint, China had pulled into the lead. Switzerland, in second, challenged back using a 42 stroke rate sprint. But China, on 38, held them off. China, Switzerland and Romania will go to the quarterfinal.
As the temperature continued to rise through the afternoon, junior rowers lined up in Heat Five. Oleksandr Gurzhii and Anton Bondarenko of Ukraine showed that they were in a completely different class right from the start. The duo were so far ahead, even with just 500m rowed, that it looked like two races were going on. At the finish Gurzhii and Bondarenko were nearly 30 seconds ahead of Cyprus in second. Ukraine, Cyprus and Algeria are the qualifying crews.
The final heat, Heat Six opened with Slovenia in the lead. Tadej Japelj and Gasper Kokalj of Slovenia both raced in the quad last year finishing 12th. In the double they got off to a great start leaving the rest of the field to battle it out for second and third. Going through the middle of the race, four crews still very much had a shot at qualifying. Then Moldova dropped off the pace and the fight was left between the Czech Republic, Belgium and Bulgaria. Bulgaria upped their rating to 39. The Czech Republic did not have a good enough sprint. Slovenia, Bulgaria and Belgium will go to the quarterfinal.
1 SRB 1:33.01 (1) 3:12.26 (1) 4:54.02 (1) 6:38.66 4
2 DEN 1:35.10 (2) 3:15.52 (2) 4:59.04 (2) 6:40.51 3
3 GRE 1:36.67 (3) 3:18.97 (3) 5:02.40 (3) 6:44.16 6
4 USA 1:42.08 (5) 3:27.53 (5) 5:09.65 (4) 6:52.68 5
5 TUR 1:38.34 (4) 3:25.52 (4) 5:14.81 (5) 7:04.67 1
6 RSA 1:44.78 (6) 3:36.66 (6) 5:28.83 (6) 7:20.06 2
JUNIOR MEN’S SINGLE SCULLS (JM1x) – REPECHAGES
Being the biggest event at this regatta, 17 boats lined up in three repechages and their aim was to be in the top two for a chance to race in tomorrow’s quarterfinals. Repechage One opened with Vasileios Kourtis of Greece in the lead. Kourtis joins the Greek national team for the first time this year and he managed to keep his boat just ahead of Alvis Berzins of Latvia. Berzins put up a good fight through the middle of the race and then tried to close the gap again in the final sprint. But it was purely academic as Kourtis and Berzins both held the qualifying spots with Japan, in third, a bit too far back to truly attack.
These repechages introduce many developing rowing nations to the international rowing scene and Repechage Two was a clear reflection of this. At the start Albania’s Marsel Nikaj showed his early speed. With Egypt being the closest challenger. Egypt then began to slip back giving Hong Kong China a chance to move on up. But distances were close and coming into the final sprint Sangmin Lee of Korea was able to use his extra stamina to get into second and move on Nikaj in first. In the sprint to the line Lee upped his stroke rate to 37. Nikaj, at 33 could not hold off Lee. Lee and Nikaj earned a spot in the quarterfinal from first and second respectively.
Zan Cvet of Slovenia is 18 years old and 190cm tall and is in his second year on the junior team. All of these points are relevant as it gives him good odds that he will do well. In Repechage Three Cvet may not have been the fastest starter but he did what was necessary to keep close tabs on leader, Georgi Bagaturia of Georgia and sneaked into first at the end. Bagaturia, underrating Cvet, crossed the line just behind Cvet. These are the two boats that will be going to the quarterfinals.
1 GRE 1:50.29 (1) 3:44.58 (1) 5:39.46 (1) 7:33.11 3
2 LAT 1:51.25 (2) 3:46.47 (2) 5:42.77 (2) 7:35.55 2
3 JPN 1:54.10 (5) 3:49.30 (3) 5:47.24 (4) 7:41.09 4
4 PER 1:52.19 (3) 3:49.48 (4) 5:45.68 (3) 7:41.70 1
5 RSA 1:53.37 (4) 3:55.06 (5) 6:02.14 (5) 8:07.90 6
JUNIOR MEN’S QUAD SCULLS (JM4x) – REPECHAGES
The three repechages in this last event of the day required boats to take a top two position if they wanted to keep their advancement chances alive. In Repechage One, the 63rd race of the day, the United States made out the best in these hot conditions. Stroked by Michael Wales, the US had to hold off a strong challenge from China for the entire 2000m course. China used aggression, the United States focused more on synchronicity. The two boats qualified for the quarterfinals, the United States finishing in front rating three beats lower than the Chinese.
Belarus led the way in Repechage Two and in this lead they managed to record the fastest repechage time. With Vitaly Horshva in stroke seat, Belarus held off Greece who held a steady pace throughout the race in second place. Greece had to keep an eye out for Portugal which in turn pushed them towards Belarus. The Portuguese did not have enough oomph to get into the qualifying positions. Belarus and Greece will go to the quarterfinals.
Japan must have given Romania quite a surprise in the final Repechage. Romania got out in front followed by Slovenia. But by the half way point it was Japan that was posing the major threat to Romania’s leading position. In the final sprint both boats, side by side, raced for the line. Japan, underrating Romania by two beats, was holding up. Romania crossed the line just in front and both boats qualified for tomorrow’s quarterfinals.
1 LAT 1:39.99 (1) 3:27.33 (1) 5:19.99 (1) 7:13.00 3
2 ZIM 1:41.93 (2) 3:31.94 (2) 5:24.68 (2) 7:16.35 4
3 ISR 1:45.16 (3) 3:38.99 (3) 5:34.21 (3) 7:22.88 2
4 RSA 1:48.89 (4) 3:43.48 (4) 5:44.59 (4) 7:38.94 1
5 QAT 1:54.89 (5) 4:03.50 (5) 6:10.36 (5) 8:14.42 5
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
4 August & yesterdays opening ceremony
The team are on the water at the moment with today being a regular day - wake up, breakfast, row, lunch, sleep, row, sleep. I know that might not sound like much but it takes an entire day.
The opening ceremony was pretty good yesterday although the ‘entertainment’ was a little suspect – it did however provide the guys with lots to talk about.
The procession through town was great – we were the first country, ‘Afrique du Sud’ behind the FISA delegation and the Organising committee. We were led through the town by dancers looking like statues, handing out flowers to the locals as we went by – a nice touch. The town of Brive seems quite old with a narrow alleys and old stone buildings and the procession seemed to route through the oldest part of the town via the large cathedral in the centre. The procession ended in the ’14 July Square’ where all athletes were seated (makes for a nice change) while listening to a few speeches from the mayor and the FISA president. The ‘statue’ dancers then came out again and were followed by some random modern dancers who break-danced in silence (no music) and then to some jazz and other odd genres of music, then in silence again. They also went on a bit which was where the athletes started to get a little restless.
Dinner was held in a hall adjacent to the square and we all caught the bus back to our accommodation. I must at this stage point out how well the French are looking after us and how well things are run. The dinner had multiple serving points which meant that everyone got fed pretty quickly and the busses are very well run – we never seem to wait for more than 5 mins for a bus.
Camille – our ‘correspondent’/host continues to go the extra mile for us. He also appears to care more for us than his other nations (of which he has 4). He insisted on carrying our country name sign and proudly made sure our flag was flying high in front of the crowd through the ceremony.
Back to today – the draw takes place at 4pm and we wait to see who we are racing in the heats tomorrow.
The coaches have been extremely professional with their crews and all crews appear to be comfortable in their boats. There are practise starts again this morning between 10h30 and 11h30 but not sure all crews will make use of these today.
Please let me know if there is anything else you want me to write about (still have writers block) and would appreciate if you could pass on this website address to as many people as possible. I am also taking pictures and loading them straight onto facebook during the day – my page is open so you should be able to see them. There is however not always data coverage at the course so uploads only happen when we head back into town.
I am currently sitting in a little clubhouse overlooking the lake – it is brilliant. Most of the nations are on the water so the course looks busy, the fields around green and the sky bright blue. We could certainly do with a venue like this back home where people are able to order coffee /breakfast (preferably not in euro prices) and watch the organised chaos on the water. I am not sure that these kids will recognise how lucky they are until it is too late. I hate using the words ‘it is a great experience’ for the athletes but right now I don’t have any other way to describe it. The real benefit and worth of this tour will be where athletes return hungrier than ever to continue an international rowing career. This means returning to train through 11 months of the year to be the best – not only in South Africa. If we don’t get this right I will be as bold to say we are wasting valuable resources (money). I realise that not everyone will return to be the next Ramon (or Colleen) but as a federation and athletes of the federation we have an obligation to keep striving for representation and performance at the highest level. The Junior World Rowing Championships should be the start of a great international rowing career and the Olympics in 2012, 2016 and 2020 should be the ultimate goal.
Today has been filled with meetings. Andy, Jamie and I attended a Youth Commission meeting which was largely dominated by the confusion of the Youth Olympics and a couple of other matters. FISA is concerned that with the increased status in U23’s that Juniors might be neglected in their countries. This was soon put aside as then entry is the biggest in the last 10 years with 795 athletes.
An entire start list can be found worldrowing.com but below is a summary of tomorrows racing
9:48 JM4+ USA RSA POL NZL CAN
10:00 JW 1x ESP CYP BLR RSA PER
10:48 JM1x HKG TUN SVK GEO RSA RUS
11:06 JW2- GRE IND BUL HUN RSA USA
12:30 JM2x TUR RSA DEN SRB USA GRE
This is the World Championship so there is no easy heat but the coaches are satisfied with the draw. The progression is not something I care to explain today for the heats although it is worth mentioning that depending on the result of the JW1x, JM1x and JM2x in the heat they may have to race in a repechage tomorrow as well. I will post results as soon as they come available.
Also look to worldrowing.com for results. There is also another site which is taking pictures of the regatta – myrowingphoto.com
Best of luck to all for tomorrows racing !
The opening ceremony was pretty good yesterday although the ‘entertainment’ was a little suspect – it did however provide the guys with lots to talk about.
The procession through town was great – we were the first country, ‘Afrique du Sud’ behind the FISA delegation and the Organising committee. We were led through the town by dancers looking like statues, handing out flowers to the locals as we went by – a nice touch. The town of Brive seems quite old with a narrow alleys and old stone buildings and the procession seemed to route through the oldest part of the town via the large cathedral in the centre. The procession ended in the ’14 July Square’ where all athletes were seated (makes for a nice change) while listening to a few speeches from the mayor and the FISA president. The ‘statue’ dancers then came out again and were followed by some random modern dancers who break-danced in silence (no music) and then to some jazz and other odd genres of music, then in silence again. They also went on a bit which was where the athletes started to get a little restless.
Dinner was held in a hall adjacent to the square and we all caught the bus back to our accommodation. I must at this stage point out how well the French are looking after us and how well things are run. The dinner had multiple serving points which meant that everyone got fed pretty quickly and the busses are very well run – we never seem to wait for more than 5 mins for a bus.
Camille – our ‘correspondent’/host continues to go the extra mile for us. He also appears to care more for us than his other nations (of which he has 4). He insisted on carrying our country name sign and proudly made sure our flag was flying high in front of the crowd through the ceremony.
Back to today – the draw takes place at 4pm and we wait to see who we are racing in the heats tomorrow.
The coaches have been extremely professional with their crews and all crews appear to be comfortable in their boats. There are practise starts again this morning between 10h30 and 11h30 but not sure all crews will make use of these today.
Please let me know if there is anything else you want me to write about (still have writers block) and would appreciate if you could pass on this website address to as many people as possible. I am also taking pictures and loading them straight onto facebook during the day – my page is open so you should be able to see them. There is however not always data coverage at the course so uploads only happen when we head back into town.
I am currently sitting in a little clubhouse overlooking the lake – it is brilliant. Most of the nations are on the water so the course looks busy, the fields around green and the sky bright blue. We could certainly do with a venue like this back home where people are able to order coffee /breakfast (preferably not in euro prices) and watch the organised chaos on the water. I am not sure that these kids will recognise how lucky they are until it is too late. I hate using the words ‘it is a great experience’ for the athletes but right now I don’t have any other way to describe it. The real benefit and worth of this tour will be where athletes return hungrier than ever to continue an international rowing career. This means returning to train through 11 months of the year to be the best – not only in South Africa. If we don’t get this right I will be as bold to say we are wasting valuable resources (money). I realise that not everyone will return to be the next Ramon (or Colleen) but as a federation and athletes of the federation we have an obligation to keep striving for representation and performance at the highest level. The Junior World Rowing Championships should be the start of a great international rowing career and the Olympics in 2012, 2016 and 2020 should be the ultimate goal.
Today has been filled with meetings. Andy, Jamie and I attended a Youth Commission meeting which was largely dominated by the confusion of the Youth Olympics and a couple of other matters. FISA is concerned that with the increased status in U23’s that Juniors might be neglected in their countries. This was soon put aside as then entry is the biggest in the last 10 years with 795 athletes.
An entire start list can be found worldrowing.com but below is a summary of tomorrows racing
9:48 JM4+ USA RSA POL NZL CAN
10:00 JW 1x ESP CYP BLR RSA PER
10:48 JM1x HKG TUN SVK GEO RSA RUS
11:06 JW2- GRE IND BUL HUN RSA USA
12:30 JM2x TUR RSA DEN SRB USA GRE
This is the World Championship so there is no easy heat but the coaches are satisfied with the draw. The progression is not something I care to explain today for the heats although it is worth mentioning that depending on the result of the JW1x, JM1x and JM2x in the heat they may have to race in a repechage tomorrow as well. I will post results as soon as they come available.
Also look to worldrowing.com for results. There is also another site which is taking pictures of the regatta – myrowingphoto.com
Best of luck to all for tomorrows racing !
Monday, August 3, 2009
So the last two days have been good for all crews. A basic day consists of breakfast at 7am, bus to course at 7h30, light row, lunch and bus trip back to accommodation. The afternoon gets going at around 17h00 with trip back to course, row and dinner.
This morning the team practised some starts between 10h30and 11h30 on the lights system. All crews managed well.
This evening there is no rowing as the opening ceremony takes place in the centre of Brive. The event is well advertised and I think the athletes will enjoy the experience.
Our supporters are also around and seem to be enjoying the venue.
Apologies for the short post - I will try for a long one this evening.
SK
This morning the team practised some starts between 10h30and 11h30 on the lights system. All crews managed well.
This evening there is no rowing as the opening ceremony takes place in the centre of Brive. The event is well advertised and I think the athletes will enjoy the experience.
Our supporters are also around and seem to be enjoying the venue.
Apologies for the short post - I will try for a long one this evening.
SK
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
.jpg)
.jpg)
