Heats continue at Munich Rowing World Cup

Men’s four (M4-) – Heats

The high stroke rate at the start of heat one for Ireland’s second boat wasn’t enough for them to hold a lead as Germany, then Italy worked their way to the head of the field. This spelt disaster for Ireland as only the top two positions would qualify directly for the semi-final. Italy and Germany move on to the semi-final.

Heat two presented no surprises when World Champions Great Britain continued their 2005 unbroken winning streak, leaving the rest of the field in their wake. Behind them Croatia slipped into second, remaining ahead of Australia to qualify along with Great Britain.

Last year’s silver medal crew, the Netherlands are back together for another year and they look to be styling it this season taking off at the head of the field in heat three. This left Slovenia and Germany’s third boat to fight it out for the second qualifying spot. Slovenian stroke Matej Prelog was in the four at the 2000 Olympics, but missed out in 2004 (competing in the non-Olympic coxed four instead). He’s now back in the four and together with brothers Tomaz and Miha Pirih and Rok Kolander they finished second.

The top three crews from last year made it a clean sweep with 2005 bronze medallists Canada winning heat four also by leading from the start. But, unlike Great Britain and the Netherlands, Canada only has one remaining member of last year’s crew. Kyle Hamilton, Ben Rutledge, Scott Frandsen comes from the eight, with Peter Dembicki being the only original member. Germany qualified their second boat after overtaking Italy to finish second.

Lightweight Women’s Double (LW2x) – Heat

The four heats presented one upset after another when China showed their women’s lightweight power opening with one of the shockers in heat one. World silver medallists United States got off to a good start, but in the second half rougher water they began to slip back while unknowns, Hua Yu and Dongxiang Xu of China burst through to take the lead. This is more incredible as both Yu and Xu competed – and qualified – earlier today in the lightweight single.

France also pushed past the United States, but with just one boat qualifying directly for the semi-final only China advances with the fastest qualifying time.

Germany managed to scrape through to first in the second heat despite World Champion Marie-Louise Draeger having to recover from a crab. Draeger has joined with new partner Berit Carow and together they held off Russia to qualify.

Crabs also caused upsets in heat three when Great Britain’s Jane Hall could do little more than limp down the 2,000 metre course after a boat-stopping crab was enough to inflict boat damage. Meanwhile Greece’s Chrysi Biskitzi and Alexandra Tsiavou gained a slight lead over Denmark and held on to qualify in first.

Two Chinese entries took over in heat four pushing last year’s fourth placed finish Poland out of the qualifying position. Instead Jing Liu and Haixia Chen of China Three recorded the second fastest qualifying time when they finished first.

Lightweight Men’s Double Sculls (LM2x) – Heat

Creating one of the most commanding margins of the day, heat three of four heats had Italy’s new combination of Marcello Miani and Elia Luini qualify with the fastest time, four seconds faster than the next fastest. Miani and Luini came together just over a month ago but they both have World Champion titles and experience to their name. With just one boat going directly to the semi-final, only Italy advances from heat three.

Going back to heat one, a fine effort by Great Britain’s Tim Male and James Lindsay-Fynn had them leading from the beginning despite an early challenge by Germany’s number three crew and a late threatening finish by Greece. Male and Lindsay-Finn move onto the semi-final.

Heat two saw the return to speed of Japan’s Takahiro Suda and Daisaku Takeda. Suda and Daisaku had the pressure of their nation’s expectations on them last year at the World Championships and returning to a more relaxed situation the duo won their heat with the second fastest qualifying time.

Another returning combination, Joerg Lehnigk and Manuel Brehmer of Germany (sixth in 2005) made easy work of heat four leading Austria down their home course.

Lightweight Men’s Four (LM4-) – Heat

Demonstrating classic lightweight rowing, barely a second separated the winning boats of these four heats. This scenario opened with Australia and Russia going head-to-head in heat one with South Africa in hot pursuit. A more solid effort by Australia through the middle of the race propelled them into the lead. Russia then had to manage a storming South Africa. But a small crab hindered their qualifying chances. Australia and Russia move on to the semi-final.

Heat two had Ireland burst out of the starting boots under the stroking of Paul Griffin with the bearded Trans-Atlantic rower Gearoid Towey in bow. Towey replaces an injured Tim Harnedy and obviously has fitted in well to this silver medal 2005 crew. Belgium (last year’s lightweight quad silver medallists) followed Ireland and the two crews will move on to the semi-final.

The third heat opened with a strong start by Poland before Germany took over the lead with the Netherlands following closely. Greece used a strong second 1,000 to close the qualifying gap but Germany and the Netherlands remain the two crews to advance to the semi-final.

The tightest race of the day played out in heat four with the two centre lane crews, Great Britain and Italy, pacing each other. Italy finished third last year and stroke Bruno Mascarenhas and bow Lorenzo Bertini remain from that bronze medal crew. Today Great Britain had the slim edge, but Italy fought the whole way to a photo finish. Just 1/100 of a second separated the two crews at the line, the British with the edge.

Men’s Quadruple Sculls (M4x) – Heat

Two heats required crews to finish first if they wanted to go directly to the final and it looks like the return of the Italians. Stroked by 2000 Olympic Champion Simone Raineri, Italy led heat one from the start leaving 2004 Olympic Champions Russia to fight for second and, surprisingly, current World Champions, Poland struggled at the rear of the field. Italy move on to the final.

The second heat was led by the Czech Republic which includes Vaclav Chalupa heading for his sixth Olympic Games. But despite having the leader’s advantage, the Czech’s were pushed hard by Germany, just holding on to first at the finish.

Women’s Eight (W8+) – Heat

Two heats required a first place finish to advance directly to the final and with a number of athletes racing in two events, first place was very much desired. Australia had all raced earlier in the day in the pair and returning to race heat one of the eight, they got off to a fast start. But Great Britain had similar ideas despite being up against the reigning World Champions and stroke pair Elise Laverick and Katie Greves who also raced in the pair, sat extremely closely in second. The positions remained unchanged through the body of the race but coming into the final 200 metres Great Britain closed in and at the line had finished first.

Romania had an easier time of leading in heat two by remaining ahead of the Netherlands throughout the race. Still the Romanian’s pushed the pace rating 35 towards the finish. Romania go directly to the final with the fastest qualifying time.

Men’s Eight (M8+) – Heat

Only one crew would qualify directly for the final in the two heats and, much to the crowd’s delight, Germany’s top boat led heat one. Great Britain remained in touch with Germany but couldn’t get close enough to be the qualifying boat. Germany move on to the final.

One of the biggest upsets of the day was left until last. Poland belted off the line in heat two and never looked back. This caught last year’s silver medallists Italy completely by surprise. The Italians chased hard, overtaking Australia in the process, but Poland remained in first and now go directly to the final.