123906_12-LG-HD

Australia and Germany had the fastest qualifying times after winning their respective heats two days ago. Today Germany got away just ahead of Australia and Poland. By the middle of the race Australia, who won at World Rowing Cup II in Lucerne, got into the lead and started pulling away. This left a huge battle between Poland and Germany. The Germans are the Olympic Champions while Poland won the Olympics in 2008.

Despite the support of the crowd, a better sprint by Germany gave them the silver medal ahead of Poland. Australia held on to take gold and win the World Rowing Cup series.

Results: AUS, GER, POL, SUI, GBR, ITA

Alexander Belonogoff, Australia, gold
“It was a good race for us given that it is only our second international race since we formed this combination. We have seven more weeks of training coming up in Italy. We don’t feel like we’ve had our best race yet. In Rio, we want to have that race.”

Karl Schulze (b), Germany, silver
“After the performance at the European Championships and Lucerne, which wasn’t really up to our standards, a silver here means we are getting back into the game. I think our heat was maybe even a little better. But it’s a lot of work to climb out of this valley again.”

Wiktor Chabel, Poland, bronze
“It was a tough race, especially the last 200m. We will see in Rio. The A-final is the minimum we expect and hopefully maybe a medal. I am very happy to race here in Poznan because it is my birthplace and my home regatta course. My family is in the grandstand.”