Junior Men's Double Sculls (JM2x) - Final

A storming start by Andrea Cattaneo and Emanuele Fiume of Italy saw them rating 44. This duo medalled last year in the junior men’s coxed four and they were the favourites coming into this final after recording the fastest qualifying time from the semifinals. Germany’s Johannes Lotz and David Junge, who finished second to Italy in the semifinal, followed closely. A virtual line formed behind these two leading crews.

Cattaneo and Fiume then managed to pull away from Germany who now were under pressure from Hungary and Slovenia with the Czech Republic also within striking distance. As the last 500m came into view the Italian supporters rose to their feet enjoying the lead that Cattaneo and Fiume had formed. But all eyes were now on the crews going for the lesser medals. Hungary’s Kristof Acs and Mate Bacskai were forcing Germany to up their stroke rate. Lotz and Junge did just this. Rating 41 Lotz and Junge started to move away from Hungary who now looked to be faltering. Cattaneo and Fiume crossed the line first. Then two strokes before the finish Lotz and Junge stopped rowing. Luckily they had enough of a lead over Hungary and enough boat momentum to hold on to silver. Acs and Bacskai took bronze.

Results: ITA, GER, HUN, CZE, SLO, AUT

Andrea Cattaneo (b) – ITA – gold
“We wanted to have a quick start and then control the race. It worked really well. I am so proud of us.”
 
Johannes Lotz (b) – GER – silver
“It was a strong race against the Italians. They were fast at the start, then we did everything to chase them, but couldn’t manage.”

Mate Bacskai (s) – HUN – bronze
“We couldn’t sleep well last night as we were really excited. We hoped we could win this bronze medal and now we managed with a very strong race.” 

B-final

France missed out in making the final by half a second when they raced in yesterday’s semifinal, making them favourites for this race. But it was New Zealand out in front at the start. Estonia followed closely in second with the British very close in third. Coming through the last 500m Estonia (Johann Poolak and Marko Laius) upped their stroke rate and got ahead of the Kiwis to finish first and take seventh overall.

Results: EST, NZL, GBR, NED, CHI, FRA