A Day of Last Chances - 2004 World Rowing Championships - Senior Events

By Melissa Bray

Women's Four

Two repechages required crews to finish in the top two positions for advancement to the final. The cutthroat nature of competitive racing continued as China, Australia and Canada tried to get the lead advantage in repechage one. But they were not alone. Russia was working hard to stay in the mix and with a strong piece through the 700 the Russians had passed Canada and Australia to move into qualifying spot number two behind China in the lead.

Russia continued to sprint and had gained a handy advantage over nearest threat to second, Australia, with three-quarter of the race gone. China and Russia earn a position in the final.

France led the way in repechage two followed closely by current World Champions the United States. But with a completely new line up from last year the Americans seemed to be struggling. This inspired Ukraine who had pushed through to second with 500 metres left to row. France remained in the lead and Ukraine, despite steering problems, held off a sprinting Germany to earn the final qualifying position.

Men's Coxed Pair

Brothers Javier and Diego Aguirregomezcorta of Spain took off at a cracking pace in the first of two repechages. The goal was to be in the top two positions for advancement to the final and France and Romania were taking chase. With half the race gone France had moved into first place as Spain slipped back behind Great Britain into fourth. It was shaping up to be a dog fight for the line in a race that included former World and Olympic Champions. But, despite the credentials of their competitors, it was newcomers Spain that pulled it off. With France in the lead Spain sprinted for the line, overtaking former World Champions Romania and Olympic Champion Kieran West of Great Britain, to finish second and qualify for the final.

The second repechage was a tussle between Serbia & Montenegro and Denmark as current World Champions the United States struggled at the back of the field. First Denmark gained the leading edge, holding on to it, although only by a canvas over Olympic spare Djordje Visacki rowing in bow seat for Serbia & Montenegro. Then Visacki, with partner Marko Knezevic, poured on the sprint taking their "water taxi" into the lead aided by motivation from coxswain Djordje Ilic. Visacki and Knezevic qualify along with France while the United States, rowing with square blades, could not make a dent on the leaders and miss out on the final.

Lightweight Women's Quad

All six of these crews wanted to finish in the top four spots and all six were willing to give it a shot. Canada with Olympic spare, Gen Meredith in the bow seat, led the way but by the half way point less than two seconds separated the top four boats. Switzerland was sticking to Canada and Spain was right there as well. Coming into the final sprint the Netherlands stepped up the pace. At the line Canada remained ahead with Switzerland right behind and last year's silver medalists, the Netherlands moving into third to qualify for the final along with Spain in fourth.

World Record holders and last year's bronze medalists, Australia found themselves out of the final finishing at the back of the field and off the pace.

Lightweight Men's Quad

Spain's lightweight men's quad, Banyoles 2004
© Getty Images/Bryn Lennon

Germany won bronze medals at last year's World Championships and with one change to the line up ? Nils Budde joining in bow seat ? they led the first of two repechages. A top two spot was required for advancement to the final and Spain decided they wanted that second place the most. Keeping ahead of Ireland, Spain had the support of the crowd in their bid for qualification. The order remained the same with Germany and Spain advancing to the final.

In repechage two the United States boated the same line up that finished sixth at last year's World Championships. They indicated that the extra year together had served them well by taking enough of a lead to keep an eye on the rest of the field. Behind them the Netherlands, who have only retained Wolter Blankert from last years fourth placed crew, were holding slimly on to second over Great Britain. Despite a strong British push at the 500 to go, the Netherlands retained second with the United States in first. Both boats move on to the final.

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