Para PR1 Men’s Single Sculls (PR1 M1x) - Finals

A–Final

At the Gavirate International Para regatta last month the Paralympic Champion Roman Polianskyi of Ukraine had beaten the World Champion, Erik Horrie of Australia. They met for the first time today as this World Cup with both winning their respective semifinals yesterday – Horrie with a faster time. At the start Polianskyi had the faster pace and managed to get to the first 500m mark just slightly ahead of Horrie. Great Britain 2 of Benjamin Pritchard was the only other sculler able to hold the pace of the two leaders.

Going through the middle of the race Polianskyi managed to get into an open water lead, forcing Horrie to play catch up. The fast pace of these two leaders was too much for Pritchard who began to slip back. He was, however, ahead of his fellow countryman, Great Britain 1 of Andrew Houghton. All scullers looked very tired coming through the end of the race. It is a long 2000m when it’s a head wind. Both Horrie and Polianskyi rated 32 in the close of the race with Pritchard at 33.

Results: UKR, AUS, GBR2, GBR1, LTU, FRA

Roman Polianskyi, Ukraine, gold
“I’m very happy! My rivals always make me train and race hard. I’m used to these tough conditions as I train often in similar weather.”

Erik Horrie, Australia, silver
“I’m over the moon just to be on the podium. I had lots of injuries this year so I was a little in doubt of how I would perform but I’m super happy to come away with a medal. Roman rowed very well so congrats to him!”

Benjamin Pritchard, Great Britain
“This is a great achievement for me! This race is part of the World Rowing Championship selection so I had to just focus on myself. I feel for my teammate Andy, but this is a really good benchmark for us.” 

Re-watch the race here

B-Final

Belarus was the next fastest from yesterday’s semifinals, but the Belarusian was not the fastest out at the start. Instead it was Johannes Schmidt of Germany leading the way. Then Poland’s Jaroslaw Kailing did a push that got him into the lead and held him there through to the finish. Schmidt held on and these two scullers made for very close racing in a boat class that is often rather spread out. Belarus came through in third.

Results: POL, GER, BLR, BEL, HUN, NGR