International boat classes open afternoon racing at Rowing World Cup

Lightweight Men’s Single Sculls (LM1x) – Repechage

Lightweight men’s single scullers lined up for the second time today in this repechage with the hope to qualify for the semifinal. To do so, they would need to finish in the top three. Five scullers, almost a third of the entries in this event, came from Austria and two Austrians raced in this afternoon’s repechage. Slovakia’s Lukas Babac, who won silver at the 2008 European Rowing Championships, worked his way to the head of the field and secured the lead shortly after the 500m mark, overtaking Hong Kong’s Kwan Hoi Lok. But Austria was also intent to qualify for the semifinal and Austria4 and Austria5 chased each other down the course behind Slovakia. Slovakia and both Austrian crews move on to the next round.

Lightweight Men’s Pair (LM2-) – Race for Lanes

Serbia stormed out of the starting blocks and dominated the race from the start. By the half-way point they had secured a clear-water advantage. Six crews lined up in this Race for Lanes and it was evident Serbia wanted to book the centre lane for tomorrow’s Final. They did so in style, followed by two crews from Denmark.

Lightweight Women’s Quadruple Sculls (LW4x) – Race for Lanes

Only three crews lined up in this race which would define the lanes each crew would race in during tomorrow’s Final. China soon lost its initial lead to Switzerland. The Swiss crew was stroked by experienced Eliane Waser who won bronze at the World Rowing Under 23 Championships last year. Also in the boat was Antonina Iagovitina who won silver at the 2008 World University Games in the lightweight single. After the half-way mark, the positions remained unchanged – Switzerland, China, then India.

Lightweight Men’s Quadruple Sculls (LM4x) – Race for Lanes

The World Best Time in this event has not changed since 1992, and over the past years this boat class has been owned by the Italians. In the absence of the Italians, it is Mexico who took the advantage, making a place for itself at the head of a three-boat race, followed by Korea, then Austria. The order did not change until the line. Mexico will occupy the centre lane in tomorrow’s Final.

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