Argentina’s Golden Day at Pan Am Games

The Argentinean women’s pair of Maria Abalo and Gabriela Best was the first victorious crew from Argentina. After a blistering start, Abalo and Best overcame late challenges from the United States (Megan Smith and Monica George) and the Canadian women’s pair of Sarah Bonikowski and Sandra Kisil. Abalo and Best finished in a time of 7:24.57, nearly five seconds faster than the Americans in second. The women’s double sculls final started in cloudy, yet fast conditions with a field of six finalists – all of whom were desperate to bring their nation into the Pan American Games spotlight. After a fight to the end, victory finally came to the accomplished Cuban double of Yariulvis Cobas and Aimee Hernandez in a time of 7:13.76 – just ahead of the United States (7:14.34) and Canada (7:16.29).  

In an outstanding result in the men's double sculls, the Argentinean ‘juggernaut’ continued to roll over its opposition. Ariel Suarez and Cristian Rosso comprehensively outsprinted Cuba in a time of 6:26.55. The Cubans time of 6:32.54 gave them second ahead of Venezuela (6:36.81).

The final event of the day, the men's four was much anticipated by the vocal and enthusiastic crowd from Guzman. A Mexican victory was not to be. The Argentinean four of Rodrigo Murillo, Sebastian Fernandez, Agustin Silvestro and stroke Jaoquin Iwan, leapt to lead early from Canada, the United States, Mexico, Cuba and Brazil. In the final sprint to the line, Argentina, in a time of 6:04.41, were  victorious over Canada (6:05.65) and Cuba (6:06.51).  

To view the full results, go to the following Pan American Games link click here

Report thanks to: Matt Draper