Post-storm repechages enjoy full speed

Due to boat damage the men’s coxed four and women’s eight repechages were moved to Saturday. Damage to the Belgian men’s double means this repechage will move to the end of today. A brisk tail wind with intermittent white caps meant technically adept racing and clever boat adjustments would be in order to make the most of the conditions.

Women’s Four (BW4-) – Repechage

The top two boats in this race would be the last boats to make it to the final. A certain urgency was felt as these six crews lined up at the start of the 2000m course. The Netherlands struck first setting the initial pace but they were soon reeled in by the flying Americans. Then Belarus took over with a big piece coming into the final 500m. The United States, following stroke Sarah Gribler, looked content to take second. Belarus and the United States are in the final. At the back of the field the Czech Republic struggled in the rough water and 250m from the finish they lost an oar. The crew regained composure and still rowed to the finish line.

Lightweight Women's Single Sculls (BLW1x) – Repechages

The two repechages required a top three finish for these lightweight women’s chance to continue on to the semifinals. Bouncing over the bumpy water in Repechage One was Kimberlin Meneses Uzcategui of Venezuela. Uzcategui’s fast start yesterday caught everyone off guard and today she did it again. This time, however, it took until the second half of the race for anyone to catch her. Paraguay’s Gabriela Mosqueira was the challenger. Mosqueira raced last year as a junior and this year warmed up for the under 23 championships with a senior World Cup event in Banyoles. Coming into the final sprint Angelina Casanova of Switzerland also closed on Uzcategui. Uzcategui held on and is in the semifinal along with Mosqueira and Casanova.

The second repechage had Austria’s Stefanie Borzacchini leading right from the start. Like Mosqueira, Borazacchini comes to the under 23 championships for the first time after two years at the junior level. They both raced in 2008 in this event as juniors and, after today’s results, they will likely meet again in the semifinals. Borazacchini’s lead remained intact until the finish with a steady 28 rating taking her across the line. Nikol Richterova of the Czech Republic followed retaining a steady second while the real race went on for third. Slovakia found herself under attack from Rachel Jung of France. Jung performed a great sprint that earned her the final qualifying spot.

Lightweight Men’s Single Sculls (BLM1x) – Quarterfinal

Potentially some of the best racing for today was predicted in this event as the top single scullers returned to the Racice regatta course competing in the biggest event of this regatta. In each of the quarterfinals the athletes had to aim to be first, second or third.

In the first quarterfinal Germany’s Linus Lichtschlag handled the conditions the best. From Berlin, Lichtschlag finished fourth in the lightweight double last year. Moving to the single appears to be advantageous as the German heads for the semifinal in fine form clocking a time of 7:03 today. Behind Lichtschlag, Croatian Marko Kusurin recovered from an abysmal start to work his way through the entire field and into second. Kusurin’s move into second pushed Jose Guipe Jimenez into third. But the Venezuelan still held on to a qualifying spot. Germany, Croatia and Venezuela are in the semifinal.

Like Lichtschlag, Joris Pijs of the Netherlands recorded a time of 7:03 and he did it in the same leading style in Quarterfinal Two. Pijs handled the bumpy conditions well and rated 32 strokes per minute in the final stretch. Last year Pijs finished third in this event and Lichtschlag must be keeping an eye on him as a potential rival. Ondrej Luzek of the Czech Republic held on to Pijs’s pace for the entire race in second, but found himself outsprinted in the last metres of the race by Nikolaos Afentoulis of Greece. Pijs, Afentoulis and Luzek are in the semifinal.

Again the winner’s time was 7:03 when Quarterfinal Three was done. Ailson Silva of Brazil led from start to finish and for most of the race remained comfortably ahead of Nemanja Nesic of Serbia. Meanwhile the slow start by Kwan Hoi Lok of Hong Kong China was causing him to do a huge amount of work to get into a qualifying position. In a final killer sprint with Ireland, Lok managed it. Silva, Nesic and Lok are in the semifinal.

Iran’s top rower set himself in a fine position to be Iran’s first gold medallist at the under 23 level when he won the fourth quarterfinal and in the process recorded the fastest qualifying time – 6:58. Mohsen Shadi Naghadeh had only been rowing a few months when he won silver in 2008. Back with more experience Naghadeh looks like he has put in good work over the year. Also qualifying from this race is Denmark’s Sophus Johannesen and in third, Igor Khmara of Ukraine.

Lightweight Men’s Pair (BLM2-) – Repechage

The top two in this race would go to the final and although Germany and France were comfortably in the two qualifying positions, they both challenged each other for the full 2000m. At the end Germany (Adrian Bretting and Lars-Hendrik Luebbert) stayed just ahead with a 36 stroke rate, one pip above France (Barthelemy Agostini, Clement Roulet-Dubonnet).

Lightweight Women’s Quadruple Sculls (BLW4x) – Repechage

Just two boats would advance from this repechage to the final and the Netherlands became the pace-setter early in the piece. Italy settled into second but margins were close and both France and Belarus were well within striking distance. The Volha Krasnikava, in stroke seat for Belarus, struck. Attacking at a 35 stroke rate in the now calmer water, the Belarussians got their nose ahead of the Netherlands (also at 35) and took first. Belarus and the Netherlands are in the final. 

Lightweight Men’s Quadruple Sculls (BLM4x) – Repechage

Of the four boats lined up, three would make it through to the semifinal. Out in front from the start was the Czech Republic. Jiri and Petr Cabla, Jakub Atarsia and Milan Viktora looked like they had set up a solid, in sync rhythm which held them easily in the lead. Turkey and Spain followed in second and third. Only Venezuela misses out on qualifying.

Women’s Single Sculls (BW1x) – Repechages

As the two repechages got under way the tail wind remained but the water looked to be getting a little flatter. This suited Kirsten Wielaard of the Netherlands in Repechage One. Wielaard finished sixth in the double last year and, now in the single she is looking good for a place in the final. The top three boats would get to go to the semifinal and following Wielaard was Konstantina Kourkoumpa of Greece and Tale Gjoertz of Norway. Gjoertz and Kourkoumpa tussled for 3/4 of the race before Gjoertz took off at the end to finish in second. Wielaard, Gjoertz and Kourkoumpa are in the semifinal.

Poland’s Natalia Madaj led from start to finish in the second repechage. Madaj has been racing on the Polish team since 2005 and last year she finished third in the under 23 double. Today Madaj got one step closer to the final with her convincing win. Texan, Helen Tompkins came through for the United States to take second and keep her finals hopes alive with Katja Hauser of Switzerland earning a rather distant third, 10 seconds behind Madaj. Madaj, Tompkins and Hauser are in the semifinal.

Men’s Single Sculls (BM1x) – Repechages

The four repechages required these scullers to be in the top two positions if they wanted to secure a spot in tomorrow’s semifinal. In the first repechage Russia’s Denis Pribyl took an early lead over Mijo Rudelj of Croatia. Pribyl warmed up for this regatta by racing at the first Rowing World Cup of the season and his first place gives him a spot in the semifinal. Rudelj will join him.

A time of 7:02 in the second repechage for Dairis Adamaitis of Latvia puts him in good stead for the semifinal. Adamaitis recorded this time by getting out to a fast start and letting the rest of the field play catch up. Canada’s Michael Braithwaite gave it a good shot after having to work really hard to come back from a slow start. By the finish line Braithwaite had an overlap with Adamaitis that earned him second place. Adamaitis and Braithwaite are in the semifinal.

Argentina’s Brian Rosso has already showed huge advances from last year. Rosso, racing in the third quarterfinal, finished 20th overall last year as an under 23 rower. This year his repechage win puts Rosso through to the semifinal and, at the very least, he will race in the B Final. Rosso led from start to finish but was aggressively pushed by Bram Dubois of Belgium. Argentina’s higher rating (at 35) kept him just in front. Rosso and Dubois are in the semifinal.

Repechage Four began with Alexander Leichter of Austria in the lead and finished in drama. Leichter was out in front for half the race, slipping into second behind Andriy Ostroverkhov of Ukraine in the third 500. But then coming into the final sprint, with 300m left to row, Leichter took a bad stroke, caught a crab and flipped into the water. Leichter was able to get back into the boat and, despite a broken oar, Leichter limped across the finish line to be in the lesser semifinal. Ostroverkhov crossed the line first and Roel Brass of the Netherlands took second to be the two qualifying boats.

Women’s Pairs (BW2-) – Repechage

Ukraine continued to get boats through to the next round with Oksana Golub and Ganna Gutsalenko of Ukraine taking an early lead and shaking off first Canada before being challenged by Gioia Sacco and Marta Novelli of Italy. Golub and Gutsalenko raced last year in the under 23 four and Golub has also raced for her country’s senior crew. Together they held off the Italian attack and, rating 31, broke away to win by five seconds. Sacco and Novelli qualified from second in this event that allowed the top two to go to the final.

Men’s Pairs (BM2-) – Repechage

A confident looking South African pair of Lawrence Brittain and Murray Chandler got out to nearly a boat length lead at the start and held it through the race. Behind them Matevz Kaiser and Andraz Borstnar Vasle of Slovenia tried to keep up with the South Africans but could make little headway. South Africa is made up of last year’s under 23 single sculler, Chandler and junior pair competitor, Brittain. At the finish Brittain and Chandler remained in the lead with Slovenia finishing second and Georgia qualifying from third. Turkey did not start for medical reasons.

Women’s Double Sculls (BW2x) – Repechage

The top two boats would go to the final and Romania grabbed that opportunity at the start with a small lead over Russia. By the half way point four boats were still very much in the fight for two spots. Romania had a small advantage, but only small, over Hungary, Russia and Germany. This close four-way situation remained for the entire second half of the race. As the crowd near the finish line watched the fight unfolding before them, coaches on their bikes following the race screamed encouragement.

Hungary’s Zsofia Bende and Beata Saska had the best sprint. Raising their stroke rate to 34 the Hungarians crossed the line first followed by Romania. These were the two qualifying boats.

Men’s Double Sculls (BM2x) – Repechage

Damage to the Belgian boat during yesterday’s storm meant that Repechage One got delayed until the end of the day. Repechage Two required boats to finish in the top three if they wanted to go to the semifinal and three boats fought with each other. France (Benoit Baratin and Guillaume Rochet) had an early lead before Russia took over, but France held on tight. Then Latvia joined the picture firing on all cannons coming into the final sprint. France, again held on, taking back the lead with just 200m left to row. France, Latvia and Russia will race in the semifinal.

Men’s Four (BM4-) – Repechages

The two repechages required boats to be in the top three if they wanted to be in the semifinal. France and Great Britain took of in the first repechage and established themselves early on as the crews to beat. These two nations then tussled to the finish line. Meanwhile the Czech Republic worked their way into third and although they were off the leaders pace, they held on to the third qualifying spot. Great Britain was catching a bit of water but still finished first to qualify. France and the Czech Republic will also race in the semifinal.

Repechage Two had first place, Denmark finish in identical times to the previous race, but they did it in a very different way. Denmark started off in third but was very close to leaders Croatia with Belarus and Serbia well in the bunch. By the half way pint Croatia still led but there was nothing in it between them, Denmark and now the Netherlands. Coming into the final sprint four boats all still had the opportunity to be in the top three, only Belarus was off the pace. Serbia picked up the rating and charged. Denmark held on. Croatia kept the pressure. The Netherlands faltered a little. Denmark, Croatia and Serbia made the semifinal.

Lightweight Women’s Double Sculls (BLW2x) – Repechage

Sweden’s Emma Fredh and Cecilia Lilja took charge from the start in this one repechage which required a top three finish. Canada held on to the pace with Iran settling into third. Fredh and Lilja continued to move away from the field as the race turned in to a procession to the end. Crossing the finishing line rating a comfortable 31, Sweden looked like they were sitting on top of the water above the bumps. They will be in the semifinal. Canada and Iran also made the semifinal.

Lightweight Men’s Double Sculls (BLM2x) – Repechages

The two repechages had the formula of finishing in the top two if rowers wanted to continue on to the semifinal. Both repechages finished with the two qualifying boats recording almost the identical times. In Repechage One Poland had an early lead and held it through the first half of the race. A bad stroke, however, at the 1400m mark ended their qualifying chances. Denmark’s Andreas Ramboel and Christian Nielsen took over in the lead and held it ahead of Switzerland. Both of these boats are in the semifinal.

The second repechage had Yuki Ikeda and Kentaro Yaji of Japan take off at the start in the lead. But there was very little in it between the entire six boats. Japan was then able to shake off most of the pack, only Norway’s Kristoffer Brun and Are Strandli remained dangerously close. Norway’s speed was then able to propel them into the lead. Japan hung on. In the final sprint Norway took the rating to 34 while Japan was at a 32. Both of these boats will be in the semifinal.

Lightweight Men’s Four (BLM4-) – Repechages

Finishing in a time of 6:03, the Netherlands are looking good for a fine race in the semifinal tomorrow. The Dutch took off in the lead of Repechage One. They were in the first of two repechages and they had to aim for a top two finish if they wanted to advance to the semifinal. Brazil followed in second keeping a wary eye out for the threat from Russia. With the Netherlands still in the lead, Brazil continued to be under threat as Russia took their rating to 38 strokes per minute and charged for the line. Brazil had just enough of a margin to hold them off. The Netherlands and Brazil will be in the semifinal.

Canada and the Czech Republic had a great start in Repechage Two. The Czechs then began to slip back and Canada instead had to worry about Hungary. Stroked by Istvan Dumitras, Hungary used a solid piece through the third 500 to attack Canada. The Canadians, however, did not give up. These two crews raised their stroke rate. Canada was on 40, Hungary was on 41. With 200m to row Canada had got their bow ball into the lead. Hungary fought back to cross the line first. Both of these crews will go to the semifinal.

Women’s Quadruple Sculls (BW4x) – Repechage

The one repechage required these scullers to be in the top two positions if they wanted to go to the Final on Sunday. All other boats would get another chance to race, but in the B Final. Romania had a fast start and established a tiny lead over Australia and Italy. This all changed through the second 500 when Italy pulled out a piece that propelled them into the lead. Romania hung on to second while Australia began to slip back. Then the United States began to move. Romania was now under threat from the Americans of qualifying. Romania raised their stroke rate to 36 and managed to pull away from the USA. Italy and Romania will be in the final.

Men’s Quadruple Sculls (BM4x) – Repechages

An under 23 World Best Time is now owned by the Italian men’s quadruple sculls. Bernardo Miccoli, Bruno Rosetti, Jacopo Palma and Andrea Messina did this in the first of two repechages. This is how they did it. Poland initially had the lead with Italy and Lithuania following closely. By the half way point Italy had pushed into the lead and they continued to move away from both Poland and Lithuania. Coming into the final sprint Poland and Lithuania picked up the pace. Italy, rating 37, held on. A time of 5:43.76 nocks nearly three seconds off the old World Best Time (set in 2005). Italy and Poland will go to the semifinal.

After an initial hiccup, Latvia picked up the pace and moved into the lead in Repechage Two. This move pushed Russia into second. Then Hungary moved. Russia could not hold them off and Hungary gained the second qualifying spot. With Latvia still in the lead, Hungary and Russia were neck-and-neck in the final sprint. A crab for Hungary in the rough water gave Russia what they were looking for. Latvia and Russia went to the semifinal.

Men’s Eight (BM8+) – Repechage

The top two boats in this one repechage would go to the Final on Sunday and Estonia looked like they wanted it the most, taking off with a powerful start. Estonia, despite being a small nation with few rowers, have been working away on continued development of their men’s eight and results continue to be positive. Estonia was still in the lead after the 1000m mark. Then Australia, under the guidance of coxswain David Webster, moved ahead. Estonia did not let them go. In the flurry for the finish, Australia’s two seat caught a crab. It seemed to fire up the crew. The Australians crossed the line in first, followed closely by Estonia. These are the two qualifying boats.

Men’s Double Sculls (BM2x) – Repechage 1

This race, delayed to give Belgium time to fix their boat that was damaged in yesterday’s storm, took to the water at the end of the day. All five crews were gunning to be in the top three spots as this would mean they could race in tomorrow’s semifinal. Italy got away to a good start with only Slovenia in real striking distance. As the race progressed, Slovenia’s Ziga Pirih and Matej Rojec moved closed and closer to the leading Italians. Going through the third 500 Slovenia finally found the lead. Meanwhile, Belgium had worked their way up to overtake the United States and get into that third qualifying spot. At the line Slovenia, Italy and Belgium qualified for the semifinal.