Lightweight Men's Four (LM4-) - Final

Winners of  each semifinal yesterday, Denmark and France, finished with almost identical times. The Danes have one change from their European and World Champion crew. Morten Joergensen is out due to fatigue but he expects to be back later in the season. At the start France’s Colard, Raineau, Baroukh and Solforosi took the lead. At the half way point France still had the lead with winners of the World Rowing Cup earlier this month, Switzerland moving up on the French. Switzerland finished fourth with this crew at the London Olympic Games but then decided to spend the last two years racing in smaller boats. Back together to prepare for Rio Olympic qualification, it looks like this strategy was the right move. 

Coming through the third 500, Switzerland pushed into the lead, leaving France in second and Denmark in third. Switzerland’s Niepmann, Tramer, Gyr and Schuerch held the rest of the crews off to win their second gold of the season and also set a new European Best Time of 5:52.27. This time was two seconds faster than the previous European Best Time. France, in second, also was within the former European Best Time and Denmark took third, just 0.07 slower than France’s time. 

Results: SUI, FRA, DEN, GBR, NED, ESP

Lucas Tramer (SUI) – Gold

As Mario was out, during spring training, we struggled to be consistent in the earlier races this weekend. It’s really motivating to know we are able to win. We are really happy as it is the first title that we’ve won in an Olympic boatclass.

Guillaume Raineau (FRA) – Silver 

We had a really good start. We wanted to be up in front and to lead from there. We are still not really rowing together. Maybe we paid for our aggressive start at the end of the race.

Jens Vilhelmesen (DEN) – Bronze

It’s pretty wild to jump into this crew, the heat was only our second race together. I just have to get in shape basically. We are really satisfied especially with our semifinal race.

B-final

As is usual this was tight, very tight. With Austria not starting due to illness, the Czech Republic led the way by a very slight edge. At the half way point it was just three seconds separating the crews with the Czechs continuing to lead. Russia tried to overtake but the Czech Republic had the best sprint. 

Results: CZE, RUS, GER, POL, TUR