23 Jun 2018
Para PR3 Mixed Double Sculls – Final
A – Final
Ukraine and Austria lined up at the start. The Ukrainian stroke Anzhela Havrysiuk was determined not to be eligible and therefore the crew should have been excluded from the race. However, with only two boats entered, the Austrian team agreed to let them race, without the opportunity for a medal, in order for the race to take place.
In the test race yesterday, the crews clocked only one second difference. The test race was rowed in timetrial format, so the goal was to remain calm even with another crew riding exactly level.
Ukraine took the early lead, but they were going bow ball for bow ball through the first thousand. Austria then made a huge shift in the third 500m and managed to get into the lead. Ukraine seemed to be discouraged by that and dropped their rate slightly. Through the line, home favourites from Austria took the gold.
Results: AUT
Johanna Beyer (b), Austria, gold
“It was a great race in total, we had a bad start but by 1000m we had draw level and we were even. Then the last 200m we really sprinted and I increased our speed. It was a great experience to race in our home country and we hope to be back for the World Championships in 2019.”