Tough Racing at World University Championships

Knapkova wins the single
© FISU

Warm weather and calm conditions attracted large crowds to finals day of the World University Rowing Championships in Brive La Gaillard, France over the weekend. Nearly 3,000 spectators lined the banks of Lac du Causse to watch university students from five continents compete for their country.

"This (the number of spectators) is unprecedented in France," said Lionel Girard, FISU chairman of the technical commission for rowing.

Girard also commented on the depth of talent, "Never before has there been such a high level of competition."

The women's single final demonstrated this depth which had the top three places going to Athens Olympians. Mirka Knapkova of the Czech Republic recently became the fourth fastest woman in the world and defended her 2002 University Championship title by winning ahead of Great Britain's Debbie Flood. Flood came direct from winning an Olympic silver medal in the quad and just beat out fellow Olympian Sophie Balmary of France.

The depth of talent continued with fourth place going to 2001 World Championship silver medalist in the quad, Paula Twining of New Zealand, followed by Magdalena Schmude of Germany who won gold at the World Under 23 Regatta earlier this month.

The final race of the day, the men's eight, attracted much attention as leading the pack were home favourites France. This crew included five Olympians who finished sixth last month in Athens. The French came through to win over strong challenges from both the Netherlands and Estonia.

Standout performances also came in the lightweight women's single when Daniela Nachazelova of the Czech Republic successfully defended her title from the 2002 University Championships. Nachazelova also finished first at the World Under 23 Regatta last month in Poland. Finishing just behind Nachazelova, Poland's rising star Magdalena Kemnitz returns to the single after finishing sixth in the lightweight double at Athens.

Start of the heat in the men's eight
© FISU

Poland's Adam Bronikowski just missed out on an Olympic medal in the quad but redeemed himself in the men's single by finishing first over Steve Rowbotham of Great Britain. Hungary's top single sculler, Gabor Bencsik finished third.

Overall, Poland finished at the head of the points table by winning four of the eight men's events – the men's single, pair, four and lightweight men's double. France finished second overall and Great Britain third. Poland also topped the table in 2002.

South Africa, one of 31 nations in the opening ceremony
© FISU

Over 500 athletes competed from 31 countries in the biggest turnout ever at this competition with 28 of the athletes competing directly off the back of Athens Olympic participation. Crews are chosen by their respective nations from university rowers who must be born between 1976 and 1986. Each country is allowed one crew per event.

Held every two years, the next World University Rowing Championships will be in Trakai, Lithuania in 2006. 

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