Repechages Conclude ? World Rowing Championships

The United States, in the foreground, went on to win the lightweight pair repechage
© Getty Images

 

27 August 2003

There was nothing second rate about today's second chance repechages. Crews needed to finish either in the top two or four to advance into final A and a number of photo finishes demonstrated the determination of athletes rowing on the warm waters of Milan's Idroscalo.

A slight crosswind changing to a steady tailwind greeted rowers and spectators alike. The temperature remained in the low 30s Celsius as athletes kept their fluids up and their bodies in the shade.

Men's Coxed Four

Five boats just sat there. Day four of racing had opened with a photo finish and as only four spots were available to move onto the final, results were critical. As the jury analysed photographs a recap of the race saw crews closely chasing the leading French crew. France's coxswain, Ludovic Esposito was working his crew hard to maintain the lead while keeping a close eye on the charge from Germany and then Italy. With half the race completed Germany was still overlapping France. Meanwhile behind them New Zealand was pushing through Italy and advancing on the leaders.

In the final sprint a virtual line of five boats brought the crowd to their feet with only Egypt off the pace. Demanding a photo finish, France remained in first, followed by Germany with New Zealand and Italy in third and fourth respectively.

Lightweight Men's Pair

Only two crews would move onto the final in the first of two repechages and it was the fast starting Canadians that led the field. These athletes last raced two days ago and spent yesterday making sure that they were close to the required weight while keeping their bodies in 100 percent racing form with short training rows. But Canada's lead was nothing to feel secure about. Jeroen Spaans and Alwin Snijders, the spares for the four from the Netherlands never let Canada out of their range. But meanwhile Simon Carcagno and Michael Altman of the United States were using their superior endurance. Carcagno had swapped dot.com money and fame to join the ranks of amateur athletes and the rewards looked to be paying off as the US continued to eat away at the field.

Canada could not hold on. First Altman and Carcagno pushed past, then Snijders and Spaans. In a close finish the Americans and Dutch qualify from first and second.

In the second repechage the field was reduced by one entry when Hungary did not make the required weight. This left Germany, Ireland and Portugal to vie for two spots and with half the race gone the top two positions were patently clear. Germany held the lead, followed by Ireland with Portugal missing out on the A-final.

Denmark came second and qualify in the lightweight quad repechage
© Getty Images

Lightweight Women's Quad

 

The Australians are not only World Champions but they also hold the World Best time set last year at Seville. This year the crew contains two new members and gave themselves another chance when they were forced to race the repechage after succumbing to the Chinese in Monday's heats. After a fast start by Germany, Australia reeled the Germans back in to take the lead before half way. But the lead was slim as Germany kept the pressure on. Both these boats qualify handily for the final.

At the start repechage two was all about Denmark. A solid opening pace gave the Danes a lead. But the United States were starting to find their rhythm. Bowed by first time national team member, Maria Picone, the Americans began to demonstrate their superior middle 1000 by pushing past Denmark and continuing to move. Picone's crew had self-funded their way to these World Championships and today it paid off. At the line the United States finished in first followed by Demark who will also qualify.

Lightweight Men's Quad

The Dutch finished with bronze in 2002 and with one crew change, Tristan Kramers taking over stroke seat the crew took an early lead in the first of two repechages. The Netherlands continued to inch away from the field and left Spain and Switzerland to battle it out for the number two qualifying spot. Switzerland, sitting in third, was desperately trying to get past Spain. They stuck to their race plan and in a final sprint overtook Spain in the closing metres of the race. Both the Dutch and Swiss now move on to the A-final.

The second repechage was all about a tussle between the United States and Australia. At the front of the field the two crews swapped leads several times. Coached by Igor Grinko the US had their nose in front at the half-way point. But Australia, under coach John Driessen, came back and finished in front. Both boats move onto the final.

Women's Eight

The camera showed it all. For the first half of the race Canada and Germany matched each other stroke for stroke with bow balls bobbing side by side. This situation remained the same for a full 130 hard strokes before Germany, moving through the 1000 metre mark, threw in a piece that propelled them to a half boat lead. Canada, keeping their speed consistent, held onto second with Australia and Belarus also qualifying from third and fourth spot respectively.

The day continued with minor semi-finals that would place crews in C and D finals. Racing remained intense as competitiveness and pride led to close finishes. Tomorrow, Thursday, will see the start of the semi-finals as crews continue to be whittled down to the best at the 2003 World Championships.