International Events: Heats ? BearingPoint Rowing World Cup, Munich

As the starters signalled the first race a light rain signalled the wintry conditions at Munich’s Olympic regatta course. Six-minute gaps between races ensured a regular procession of boats as athletes worked their way through the World Cup heats.

Lightweight Women’s Single Scull

With races starting at 9am these lightweight-class athletes would have been weighing in as early as 7am this morning. Jo Hammond of Great Britain has missed out on her country’s Olympic double boat but led the first race of the day to move on directly to the semi-final. Mirna Rajle of Croatia, in second spot, will return along with the rest of the field for this afternoon’s repechage. 

Stacked with Germans, the second heat had the top three boats in red, black and yellow colours. But it was Germany number three, Nina Gaesler who took the field overtaking fellow countrywoman Marie-Louise Draeger to move directly to the semi-final. Draeger continues to recover from a shoulder injury that has kept her out of the Olympic double in which she won gold last year.

China’s Fenguin Fu finished off the line-up going directly to the semi-final by comfortably winning the third heat leaving Denmark to return for the repechage. 

Lightweight Men’s Single Scull

Two heats meant the winning boat of each heat would advance directly to the final with all other boats returning for the repechage and in the first heat positions were reversed from the first World Cup in Poznan. Portugal’s Luis Teixeira Ahrens out-sprinted Jacob Moeller of Denmark to qualify from first position.

No surprises in the second heat when Germany’s Peter Ording finished in first. Ording has been a regular in this event but today was pushed by Switzerland’s new challenger, Stephan Steiner, who forced Ording into a sprint to the end. Steiner however finished in second and will return for the repechage.

Lightweight Men’s Pair

Simon Carcagno and Steve Warner opened the 2004 international season for the United States by comfortably winning the first of two heats. Carcagno finished with bronze last year and with Warner as his new partner they looked in completecontrol. They move directly to the final. Japan in second will return for the repechage.

Jochen and Martin Kuehner of Germany showed the advantage of being twins when they led heat two from start to finish. Great Britain held on to second but will have to return for tomorrow’s repechage.