Cop takes on Italian Challenge

The race on Lake Orta, north of Milan, is over a 6,000m distance solely for single scullers. The scullers begin in a mass start and have the added challenge of a turn-around buoy as part of the race.

Cop said he took advantage of the mass start by getting out in front early in the piece using a fast-paced first 1,000m. Cop then stayed just enough ahead to be able to watch any challengers. Finishing in a time of 24:58.70, Cop headed off Italy’s Luca Ghezzi who finished 17 seconds behind. This is the first time a non-Italian has won the men's category. Ghezzi had to contend with a huge challenge from last year’s winner, Elia Luini (ITA) and Lorenzo Bertini (ITA). In a flurry of finishes, the final time had Luini just one second down on Ghezzi with Bertini only a second behind Luini.

British lightweight rower Sophie Hosking won the women’s category for the second consecutive year. Finishing 38th overall, Hosking’s time of 28:26.00 had her just five seconds ahead of Femke Dekker of the Netherlands. Dekker, better known internationally for her eights rowing, finished just ahead of first Italian woman, Valentina Calabrese. Calabrese rowed last year in the under-23 quad and is the daughter of Sydney 2000 medallist, Giovanni Calabrese.

Helping to organise the race was top Italian lightweight Stefano Basalini. Basalini also competed finishing an impressive ninth overall. He was one of 269 registered athletes – a record turn-out.

Italian press officer Marco Callai said snow arrived just hours before the start of the race which added to the atmosphere. Callai noted that there was a large junior turnout with over 200 juniors from 12 schools taking part in the prior day activities. Special thanks went to Olympic Champion Rossano Galtarossa for his help with the juniors.

Full results

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