Lightweight Men's Single Sculls (LM1x) - Final

The semifinal yesterday saw Rajko Hrvat of Slovenia have the fastest overall time. Was he the one to best handle these blustery conditions today? Hrvat is the world silver medallist from last year’s World Rowing Championships. Hrvat sat next to Lukas Babac of Slovakia who finished second at last year’s European Rowing Championships. But it was Konstantin Steinhuebel of Germany that had the fastest start with Great Britain’s Jamie Kirkwood also flying out of the start.

Steinhuebel continued to lead through the middle of the race with Babac trying to close the gap. Then Hrvat started to move and caught up with Kirkwood. The Brit tried to hold on as Hrvat went after Babac and Steinheubel. Then Babac pushed ahead of Steinheubel. The battle was on to the line. Steinheubel gave it his all rating 39. But Babac, on 35, was more powerful. Babac, after racing in the C-final at last month’s World Rowing Cup, is now the European Champion.

Results: SVK, GER, SLO, GBR, NOR, CRO

B-final

Hungary and Switzerland only just missed out on qualifying for the A-final in yesterday’s semifinals and they took up the centre lanes for this B-final. But it was Bulgaria that had the fastest start with the Netherlands, Hungary and Switzerland following closely. Then Silvan Zehnder of Switzerland got into the lead. Bulgaria had other ideas and in the final sprint Nedelcho Vasilev of Bulgaria led the race home.

Results: BUL, SUI, HUN, NED, CZE, FIN

Lukas Babac – Slovakia – Gold 
“It’s my fourth European medal. From today on I will like this type of tough conditions.”

Konstantin Steinhuebel – Germany – Silver 
“I’ve had a very good race, much better than yesterday. I am totally satisfied. In the last 350m it was very impressive to hear the crowd here at home.”

Rajko Hrvat – Slovenia – Bronze 
“I’ve tried very hard and I did my maximum. It is my second medal at the Europeans. Next race is the World Cup in Lucerne.”