Two more records fall in fast conditions - Rowing World Cup II

Lightweight Women’s Double Sculls (LW2x)

Not only has China come to be known as a nation of top lightweight women, today they established themselves firmly in the record book by setting a new World Best Time formerly owned by Australia when it was set at the Athens Olympics. Dongxiang Xu and Shimin Yan both come from the Zhejiang province. Xu won the double last month at Munich and has the experience of a fifth place finish from the Athens Olympics. Eighteen-year-old Yan debuted internationally last year at the Rowing World Cup in Eton and won the single. At Munich she raced against Xu and finished sixth in the double.

In this new combination Xu and Yan had the lead with the greatest threat coming from their teammates, Xuefei Fan and Haixia Chen. The two Chinese boats left the rest of the field in their wake as they conducted their own private race at the front. This private race moved to an open water lead over a steadily improving Sinead Jennings and partner Niamh Ni Cheilleachair of Ireland. Jennings the 2001 lightweight single World Champion has not managed to make it to the medals podium since 2003, but today, in the double with Ni Cheilleachair, they were keeping nicely ahead of Poland and Finland.

At the line the top two medals went China’s way with Ireland taking the third.

Lightweight Men’s Double Sculls (LM2x)

Is this the influence of coach and Olympic gold medallist Thomas Poulsen? Denmark’s Mads Rasmussen and Rasmus Quist look to have found some new boat speed. Under new coach Poulsen, the Danes have found a new lightweight leader. Today Rasmussen and Quist took off at the head of the field, teasing with Italy’s Marcello Miani and Elia Luini who sat in second.

Denmark looked long and fluid at the front and Italy seemed to have no answer with their more aggressive finishing style. Meanwhile, Great Britain’s James Lindsay-Fynn and Mark Hunter and Tome Gibson with Sam Beltz of Australia battled it out for the final medal spot. Denmark remained firmly in the lead. Italy came home in second and Great Britain managed to wiggle away from Australia to earn bronze.

Lightweight Men’s Four (LM4-)

Egypt have a new gem. Leading this event at the start was Amin Amin, Ahmed Gad, Hossam Azouz and Abd el Razek Ibrahim. But the Irish were fired up and had soon reeled the fast starting Egyptians in and taking half a boat length out of them. But, much to Ireland’s surprise, that is all Egypt was willing to give. Ireland pushed again. Egypt responded. Only 500 metres remained when Germany, Great Britain and Australia all decided to get in on the sprint.

Egypt hung in there, Australia went to 40 strokes per minute, Ireland held them all at 38. At the line Ireland became gold medallists, Australia charged through to silver and a very happy Egypt stood on the podium as bronze medallists.

One has to ask, however, what would have the result been if France had raced?

Women’s Quadruple Sculls (W4x)

Great Britain must have been a little nervous. The reigning World Champions had to go through yesterday’s repechage after being beaten by China in the heat. Katherine Grainger, Frances Houghton, Sarah Winckless and Debbie Flood are Great Britain’s flagship crew for the women and today they made sure that they retained their reputation.

Establishing an early lead Great Britain opened up a gap between them and China with Germany moving up to challenge from fourth then third. Coming into the final sprint Germany had found the silver medal spot. China fought back. Great Britain remained in the lead. At the line Great Britain had retained the World Cup leader’s bib, China gained silver and Germany had to settle for bronze. Great Britain’s bow seat Flood can now return to learning Mandarin as she continues to aim for the Beijing Olympics.

Surprisingly at the back of the field, Australia must have found the intensity of racing two events too much. They finish sixth.

Men’s Quadruple Sculls (M4x)

It is magic to set a World Best Time. It is even better to do it in front of your home crowd. Poland’s Konrad Wasielewski, Marek Kolbowicz, Michal Jelinski and Adam Korol can now claim to be current World Champions as well as World Best Time holders. This sees a fall of one of the longest standing records, set 12 years ago by the Italians. This is how they did it.

Poland took off at the head of the field with Ukraine and the Czech Republic in hot pursuit. With Poland still in the lead France then got in on the act, relegating Ukraine to fourth. Coming into the grandstand area the Polish got a boost, but so did France, the Czech Republic and Ukraine. A four-way charge to the line ended in gold for Poland, France in second and bronze for the Czechs.

Women’s Eight (W8+)

The Romanians started out like they intended to finish, at the front of the field and an open distance from the other boats. Behind them China, showing marked improvement from last month’s racing in Munich, tried to hold onto Romania’s pace with the young French crew giving it all they could.

As France began to run out of steam, Great Britain began to pick up the pace. But the race for first seemed to already be decided. Romania continued to gain ground, China sat in second. It was medal number three that was still to be decided. Great Britain wanted it the most.

At the finish Romania had the gold, China silver and a very happy Great Britain earned bronze for their country. A disappointed Australia, third at Munich, sat in fourth having already raced once today.

Men’s Eight (M8+)

After the Munich Rowing World Cup Australia reshuffled their eight and quad. It appears to have worked wonders for the eight. An initial lead by Belarus was soon swallowed up by Australia who made the race look easier the longer it went. This forced Belarus to forget about the Australians and keep a wary eye behind them at the advancing Romanians. And advance they did. So much so that for a brief period Belarus slipped back to third.

But the Belarusians answered. Coming into the final sprint Australia made 38 strokes per minute look easy with Romania at 40 and Belarus at 41. Australia take the gold, Belarus earn silver and Romania wins the bronze. The jubilation on the line for all three crews was evident.