Para PR1 Women’s Single Sculls (PR1 W1x) – Final

A – Final

When you line up against the two-time World Champion and the World Best Time holder, you must be a bit apprehensive. Birgit Skarstein of Norway holds these accolades and she sat in lane 5. Skarstein had won the test race on Friday and she was the fastest at the start today. Skarstein settled into a 32-stroke rate pace and settled into the lead. France’s Nathalie Benoit gave it her all to keep up with Skarstein’s pace, but Skarstein definitely is the star of this boat class.

As the race progressed Skarstein was able to push further and further away and Benoit now had to contend with Anna Sheremet of Ukraine coming up to challenge. In the final sprint the young Sheremet was about to overhaul the very experienced Benoit and take silver. The gold had been decided from the start.

Results: NOR, UKR, FRA, GER, ITA, USA

Birgit Skarstein, Norway, gold
“The water is really rough at the start, it felt like open water rowing. The wind started to come in from the left so I just had to keep it straight for the first 300 meters. I then managed to pick up the pace through the middle part. Ukraine and France were still keeping up so I just went for it in the last 500 meters. It’s a great feeling to win!”

Anna Sheremet, Ukraine, silver
“It was very hard at the beginning but I got into the rhythm. I was just focusing on clean strokes in these conditions. I knew UKR has a strong 1500m and I don’t as much, so I tried to just stay with her. When I looked back she wasn’t as far off as I thought. I am very happy with the result.”

Nathalie Benoit, France, bronze
“It was very hard at the beginning but I got into the rhythm. I was just focusing on clean strokes in these conditions. I knew UKR has a strong 1500m and I don’t as much, so I tried to just stay with her. When I looked back she wasn’t as far off as I thought. I am very happy with the result.” 

Re-watch the race here