Women's Single Sculls Final

Olympic Champion Mirka Knapkova of the Czech Republic did not have such a successful 2013 year, finishing third at the World Rowing Championships. 

She started off this season at the World Rowing Cup in Sydney where she was fourth. What would she manage at Belgrade? Coming out of the start Germany’s Annekartin Thiele was the fastest. This did not last long as young, up-and-coming single sculler, Magdalena Lobnig of Austria took over in the lead, followed closely by Sanita Puspure of Ireland, who recently returned to the international scene following injury.

Finally, Knapkova showed her boat at the head of the field pushing Lobnig into second. The margins were close and the final sprint was coming into view. Knapkova was pushing on, doing enough to stay ahead and waiting for surprises. The surprise came from Chantal Achterberg of the Netherlands. New to the international single sculling world, Achterberg must have felt like she had nothing to lose.

At the line Knapkova held off Achterberg to earn gold with the Dutch sculler taking silver, while Puspure managed to overcome Lobnig to earn bronze – Puspure’s first international medal as an Irish citizen.

Gold  – Mirka Knapkova – CZE

The weather conditions were much better than the previous days. I had to change my race plan at the last minute but I’m really happy to get gold.

Silver – Chantal Axchterberg – NED

It’s a really good result, I’m very proud. I was not sure if I got second, and from the start I just focused on my own lane.

Bronze – Sanita Puspure– IRL

I feel incredible, I’m elated. This is my first medal for Ireland in single sculls. My plan was just to keep going hard, hard, hard