Australia shares first with Great Britain; Rowing World Cup II

Tied at the top of the table, Great Britain and Australia kept perpetual leader Germany at bay in the overall points standing at the second Rowing World Cup in Poznan, Poland.

Australia earned 45 World Cup points touting a resurgence in their men’s sweep programme. This was boosted by the return of two-time Olympian and former Oarsome Foursome member, Drew Ginn. Ginn, with new partner Duncan Free, won the men’s pair in commanding style. The Australian men’s eight also added top points with their win in the last race of the day. The Australian squad will now head back home, missing the final World Cup, and return to Europe in time for the World Rowing Championships at the end of August.

Great Britain, also earning 45 points, recorded wins in the men’s four and women’s quad. Striking the quad was brand new MBE recipient Katherine Grainger. The British were also boosted by new single sculling find, Alan Campbell. Campbell finished second when he pushed the reigning World Champion, Mahe Drysdale of New Zealand, to a win that was less than three seconds outside the World Best Time, and Drysdale’s own personal best time.

Germany held their own by finishing first and second in the women’s pair, but a re-sorting of the men’s sweep crews took them from winning Munich medals to finding the edge of the medals podium only once - a bronze in the men’s pair. Still, Germany’s 38 points put them into third overall position and holds them in overall leading spot after the two World Cups.

Typically appearing in the top three on the leaders table, Italy was represented at Poznan by just three rowers; the men’s lightweight single and lightweight double. Both crews picked up silver medals.

China usually hovers in the middle of the points table, but in Poznan they scored one of their best results of recent years, finishing third overall. Point scoring was fueled by their women’s squad including a win in the lightweight women’s double that set a new World Best Time. The team also picked up silvers in the women’s quad and women’s eight. China returns home, missing the final Rowing World Cup, but they will race again internationally at the World Rowing Championships in Eton.

Host country Poland received a huge boost when their World Champion men’s quad pulled off a World Best Time. This was Poland’s sole medal for the regatta with their Olympic Champion lightweight men’s double unable to perform.

France finished just ahead of Poland, and sixth overall, despite the majority of their crew being unable to compete due to illness. The sculling contingent made up for the lack of numbers by winning a gold, silver and bronze medal. The new men’s double combination of Jean-Baptiste Macquet and Adrien Hardy out-rowed the World Champion Slovenians to win with a new World Best Time. The men’s quad and women’s single also medalled.

Twenty-seven countries, of the 35 entered, earned World Cup points.

Points are awarded in the 14 World Cup events (Olympic events) going in a descending order, starting with eight points for a win. If a country has more than one entry in an event just the top boat can earn points. The country with the most points at the end of the three World Cups is awarded the overall World Cup trophy.

The next and final Rowing World Cup for 2006 will take place from 7 – 9 July in Lucerne, Switzerland.  

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