Ukraine powers in adaptive finals

To the sound of dusk birds sitting in the trees surrounding Lake Bled, Ukraine indicated their strength in adaptive rowing with three medals from the four events.

ARMS, SHOULDERS WOMEN’S SINGLE SCULLS (ASW1x) – Final

The strong Alla Lysenko of Ukraine rated high and powered her way over the 1000m course on Lake Bled in first place. Lysenko burst onto the adaptive scene last year and ever since her first international race, she has never lost. She is the reigning World Champion and today Lysenko added another gold medal to her collection.
France’s Nathalie Benoit came through in second with Brazil’s Claudia Santos a long way back in third.

Results: UKR, FRA, BRA, HUN

Alla Lysenko (UKR) – Gold
"It was a good race, according to plan. Training and more training is my plan for the rest of the season. Lake Bled has been a very good venue.”

Nathalie Benoit (FRA) – Silver
"There were three false-starts. It was a long time to wait before the real start. Lysenko was very strong. I have no particular plan before the race. I tried to stay with the Ukrainian but after 150 meters, it was impossible to stay at her level and I began to fight for the second place. I made a few mistakes but I think it was a better race because I understood many technical things. ". 

ARMS, SHOULDERS MEN’S SINGLE SCULLS (ASM1x) – Final

This event attracted a huge number of athletes and narrowed down to the top six a solid race went on for World Cup medals. At the head of the pack, not surprisingly was the reigning World Champion, Tom Aggar of Great Britain. Aggar moved away from fellow countryman, Andrew Houghton to take a handy lead and open up a bigger gap over the 1000m course.
Crossing the line in first, Aggar continued his unbeaten streak leaving the relative newcomer Houghton to take silver. Spain’s Edorta De Anta Lecuona followed in third.

Results: GBR1, GBR2, ESP, RUS, AUS, UKR

Tom Aggar (GBR1) – Gold
“It was a pretty strong performance, I was pretty chuffed [pleased]. I’ve not seen the times yet, but I was pleased to be pretty far ahead of everyone in the field still this year and I’m really pleased with the result. It was a bit thunderstorm-y and rainy earlier on but it seems to have settled down for us for the race. It’s an amazing venue, such a beautiful lake, picturesque. I feel really pleased to be out here competing. It’s fantastic. I don’t mind having the competition from Andrew Houghton (Silver), the competition is good. I always try to improve on my own performances and focus on myself.”

Andrew Houghton (GBR2) – Silver
"The race started very fast. I felt very strong during the first part of the race, but, then, it was more difficult. I'm a little frustrated because I hoped for a better result. I am happy for Tom. I know him very well because we train together. "

B Final
A false start due to technical problems called these athletes back into the starters blocks. After a delay the six athletes in the B-final took off with Pascal Daniere of France in the lead followed by Ireland’s Karol Doherty. Daniere and Doherty matched each other through the first half of the race before Daniere used his better stamina to move clean away. Daniere finishes first and seventh overall and ahead of his fellow countryman, Olivier Mazenod.

TRUNK, ARMS MIXED DOUBLE SCULLS (TAMix2x) – Final

Ukraine added another medal to their adaptive collection when reigning World Champions, Dmytro Ivanov and Iryna Kyrychenko dominated the trunk and arms double. Australia’s Grant Bailey and Kathryn Ross put up a good fight, but the Australians could not match the skill and strength of Ivanov and Kyrychenko. Meanwhile, behind the leading two crews, Italy and France were going head to head in a close battle with France prevailing only in the final sprint.

Results: UKR, AUS, FRA, ITA, ISR2, BRA

Stephane tardieu (FRA)– Bronze
“I made a major mistake at the end of the race: I heard the beep of another boat [crossing the finish line] and stopped rowing before the end. After that mistake, we were happy to finish third. It’s a very good result because we began to train together just a week ago. ”

LEGS, TRUNK, ARMS MIXED COXED FOUR (LTAMix4+) – Final

As the day settled into dusk race number 131 of the Rowing World Cup in Bled, Slovenia featured the six finalists in the mixed coxed four. Great Britain is the reigning World Champions of this event and despite changes to their 2009 winning crew, they still pulled off a win, but not without a solid fight. The British crew led from the start with Germany and Ukraine chasing hard. By the half-way point Ukraine was the closest to Great Britain and Germany holding onto the leaders pace.
At the line Great Britain had scored another victory with Germany overcoming Ukraine to finish second.

Results: GBR, GER, UKR, IRL, POL, ITA

Naomi Riches (GBR) – Gold
“We had a fairly good race, we managed to pull it together when it counted. The delay didn’t really affect us, it just gave us more time to chill and get our minds in the right places. The plan for the rest of the season is to train hard and do some domestic races back in England. Then there are final selections in August then hopefully out to New Zealand for the World Championships.

Anke Molkenthin (GER)- Silver
"Our coach said us to be careful with Britain and he was right. We're happy with this result, particularly because Michael Schulz is a newcomer in our boat. And because our performance today open us the door of world championships. "

Whole crew (UKR) – Bronze
“We have loved Slovenia. This is the first time in Slovenia, first time on the podium, but not our first race together. We are also preparing for New Zealand.”