Lightweight Women’s Single Sculls (LW1x) – Final

The World Champion and the World Best Time holder, Zoe McBride of New Zealand was the sure favourite in this race. McBride had won her heat comfortably and today she was already showing the way with just 250m rowed. Going from a 39 stroke rate to 36, McBride continued to move away from second-placed Emma Fredh of Sweden. As McBride and Fredh moved away in front, the rest of the field was a practical line. The fight for the bronze medal was likely to be huge.

Then Katherine Sauks of Canada broke away from the following pack and looked to be the bronze medallist. Could Sauks close on the two leaders? McBride now had a clear water lead over Fredh and the finishing order looked all but sorted at the half way point. McBride held 33 into these head wind conditions with Fredh at a lower 30 stroke per minute. Then with 300m to go Fredh got an overlap on McBride. The Kiwi reacted. This was turning into a tight finish. Sauks was at 36, with McBride holding off Fredh by just centimetres. This must have been one of the closest finishes for McBride. Fredh took silver and Sauks held off a late American charge to take bronze.

Results: NZL, SWE, CAN, USA, GRE, RUS

B-final

Patricia Merz of Switzerland was very quick at the start. Merz tried to qualify for the Rio Olympics in the double earlier this year. She missed out and has come to Rotterdam to get more racing experience. Merz was still in the lead going through the middle of the race with Denmark’s Aja Runge Homegaard doing her best to reel in Merz. Merz easily held her off and now can claim seventh in the world.

Results: SUI, DEN, AUS, AUT, BEL, GBR

Zoe Mcbride, Gold, New Zealand
“I’m very happy to have this box ticked off and one goal closer to the big one. I felt in control for the first 1500 but Emma did a really nice job in the last 500. Now onto the next box.”

Emma Fredh, Silver, Sweden
“After the 1000m mark I realised I was getting closer to Zoe, so in the final sprint I hoped I had about hundred meters left to make up that distance. Unfortunately I ran out of water, but I’m very pleased with the result.”

Katherine Sauks, Bronze, Canada
“I felt really calm and controlled, especially with all the wind. I just stayed in my boat and focused on moving away from the Greek. Now I just have to close the gap to these two girls [Emma and Zoe].”