International events A Finals at the Rowing World Cup II

Women’s Four (W4-) – A Final

Yesterday’s race for lanes indicated the power of the Australians in this event with Australia2 completely dominating the entire race. Today, after shaking off China, the race became Australia2 against Australia1 with Australia2, stroked by Sarah Heard, in the lead. At the line Australia2 had won gold with an open water lead.

Lightweight Men’s Eight (LM8+) – A Final

Members of the German eight have appeared in their number one boat, the lightweight four, including Joel El-Qalqili. This is an indication of the strength of this boat. They won in the race for lanes yesterday and today they aimed to match this performance. But right from the start both the Netherlands and Denmark stuck firmly to the Germans so much so that German coxswain Felix Erdmann had to keep pressing his crew. As Germany moved away the Danes, in second were contending with the Dutch now sitting in third. The order did not change. At the line Germany takes gold, Denmark silver and the Netherlands bronze.

Lightweight Men’s Pair (LM2-) – A Final

A small but determined field of three boats kept the same order from start to finish. Great Britain’s Matt Beechey and Daniel Harte in the lead, Denmark in second and Belgium plugging along in third. This spelt out a slightly different story from yesterday when Belgium managed to stay ahead of Denmark. Today Denmark takes the silver behind Great Britain.

Lightweight Women Single Sculls (LW1x) – A Final

Marit van Eupen of the Netherlands must have felt very much at home. These are the waters that she often trains on. She holds the most prestigious award for Dutch single scullers and Amsterdam has made her sportswoman of the year, twice. Despite this van Eupen, reigning World Champion in this event, started off the season vying for a spot in the heavyweight Dutch eight. Back in the single van Eupen shook off a strong start by the two German boats to take the lead and never look back. Silver medallist from Linz, Michaela Taupe took up chase but van Eupen was too powerful. Van Eupen continues her reign at the top of the single scullers with Taupe earning another Rowing World Cup silver and Ireland’s Orla Duddy, in her first international season, taking bronze.

Lightweight Men’s Single Scull (LM1x) – A Final

Was it going to be the two Dutch scullers? Would it be the duo from New Zealand? Last year’s bronze medallist from the World Rowing Championships, Duncan Grant of New Zealand had the edge over Netherlands2 Tim Heijbrock. Then winner of last year’s Under 23 regatta Storm Uru of New Zealand began to move. A bad start for Uru had left him at the back of the field as a light rain fell on these scullers. It didn’t take long for Uru to find the position he desired. Uru soon tucked in behind Grant to make it a double header lead for the Kiwis.

As Heijbrock began to slip back, team mate Jaap Schouten of the Netherlands took over, chasing Uru down. But Schouten had allowed both New Zealanders too much of a lead. At the finish Grant had earned World Cup gold, Uru takes silver in his first season at the senior level and Schouten earns bronze.
Duncan Grant, New Zealand – gold medallist:” I had quick start, but with the other guys chasing me so closely, I really had to keep up my tempo. Storm came in second and we’ll see in Lucerne who will get the spot in Beijing.”

Arms, Trunk and Legs mixed coxed four (LTAMX+) – A Final

Adaptive Rowing’s sole event at this regatta, the legs, trunk and arms mixed coxed four was a race over 1000m. Great Britain, who are currently full time athletes as they prepare for the Beijing Paralympics, had the lead and worked they way away from Netherlands1. With the order well established, Great Britain remained in gold medal position until the line. Netherlands1 takes silver and Netherlands2 earns bronze. All of these crews will be aiming to qualify for the Paralympics next year in Beijing. Their qualification regatta will be part of the World Rowing Championships in Munich in August.