Finland qualifies for the Olympics at the World Rowing Champs

An A Final spot not only meant a chance at a World Championship medal but it also meant being in the top six in the world and qualifying for the 2008 Olympic Games. The crews that paced themselves the best in these cool, slight, tail wind conditions, came out the best. Finland’s lightweight women’s double did just that. Egypt’s lightweight four didn’t quite. Read on to learn more.

Lightweight Women’s Double Sculls (LW2x) – Semifinals

The pressure is great on these athletes. Not only are medals up for grabs but in these semifinal races coming in the top three means qualifying for the Olympic Games. The pressure reared in the first semifinal when Canada’s Lindsay Jennerich was taken out of the boat after the finish by the rescue boat. This is what went on before the finish.

Finland’s Sanna Sten and Minna Nieminen have been showing great speed through the heats and they took the lead at the start followed very closely by Australia’s Amber Halliday and Marguerite Houston and Canada. Looking controlled Sten and Nieminen earned a one-second lead going through the middle of the race. Coming into the final sprint Australia charged, Finland tried to hold on with Canada and now Denmark charging for the finish. A massive sprint by this season’s World Cup winners, Katrin Olsen and Juliane Rasmussen of Denmark gave them third. An almost as massive sprint by Halliday and Houston gave them first. Sten and Nieminen go to the final from finishing second and become the first Finnish rowers to qualify for the Olympics since 1996. Sten and Nieminen tried to qualify for the 2004 Olympics and missed out by one place. They were not going to let this happen again.

Canada, in fourth, will return for the B Final and still have a shot at Olympic qualification.

Minna Nieminen FIN:
"We did our own race, and now we enjoy our Olympic dream, as we qualified. The final will be very tough as everyone is very fast."

Amber Halliday, AUS:
“It’s always just a relief to qualify and the field is so close. A win in the semi is only good for a middle lane for the finals.” Reaction to the outstanding sprint by DEN that made up nearly four seconds in the final 500: “I didn’t see them. Looks like I need to improve my vision. As long as we’re in a qualifying position, it didn’t matter.”
Thoughts for the final: “This year is so hot. I’ve been racing at the World Championships since 2002 and I’ve never see a jump in standard as I’ve seen this year. So it’s going to be really fun out there.”

Juiane Rasmussen, DEN:
“Normally we are best at the finish. We had some problems with the stroke box at the start so that was stressing. For the finish, it was great to see Australia and Finland next to us because they were so far from us at the beginning. For the final, Greece are fast now. It’s going to be a tough final with close finishes.”

Results: AUS, FIN, DEN, CAN, POL, JPN

Semifinal two opened with Germany’s Berit Carow and Marie-Louise Draeger. Draeger already has an Olympic medal from the 2004 Games and has been the stable one in this boat, rowing with several different partners since. The German soon lost their lead to World Champions China, Dongxiang Xu and new partner, Haixia Chen. This is when Chrysi Biskitzi and Alexandra Tsiavou of Greece started to really move. Biskitzi has been racing internationally since 1994. She’s been to three Olympics, but a medal has always eluded her. Tsiavou is still at the under 23 level and won the single there this year. China was now under threat from Greece with Italy moving through Germany.

Hearing the shouts from the crowd, Draeger and Carow found another wind. All boats charged. At the line China had just held on to first, Greece take second and Germany qualify from third.

Chrysi Biskitzi GRE:
We tried to make the race without being nervous, and we got the result we wanted. We plan our race heat by heat, and the half target is down. You never can predict the finals, every crews will fight for it.

Results: CHN, GRE, GER, ITA, USA, GBR
 

Lightweight men’s double sculls (LM2x) – Semifinals

Sam Beltz and Tom Gibson of Australia stormed out of the start in semifinal one. The duo come from the southern island of Tasmania which got a reputation for breeding top lightweight rowers under coach Sam Le Compte. This has continued with the power of Beltz and Gibson evident today. Following closely behind the Australians were Vasileios Polymeros and Dimitrios Mougios of Greece. Polymeros recently married qualifier from the previous race Chrysi Biskitzi and both must be aiming for the Olympics.

Right behind Greece, current World Champions and World Best Time holders, Mads Rasmussen and Rasmus Quist of Denmark, were very much on the pace, holding 38 through the body of the race. Were they going to try and take the lead? These top three crews moved away from the rest of the field with, surprisingly, Hungary back in fifth. In the final sprint Denmark showed their true form. At the line Denmark takes first, Greece second and Australia hold on to third. All booking their Olympic berth.

Mads Rasmussen, DEN:
“All boats went out pretty hard. So everyone wanted to be out in control. We were expecting some boats to risk the first 1000 too much, but we weren’t expecting Australia that much.”
What it will take to win in the final: “It’s going to take a sprint like today and being a little more sharp through the rest of the race, and not let anyone get ahead. That’s the plan.”

Vasileios Polymeros, GRE:
“We are satisfied with our race. Our first goal is to get Olympic qualification. We were very focused on our boat. We did not let others take our focus away. We hope a little better race in the final. With Dimitrios (new partner) we’ve made very good improvements. We feel strong.”

Dimitrios Mougios, GRE:
For the final against DEN: “We hope to beat them.”

Sam Beltz, AUS:
We are very happy to be in the final. The plan was to get a very quick first 250 then get into the final.

Frederic Dufour, FRA:
“We are not content. Not surprised by Denmark.”
For qualifying still: “Fifth (in the B Final) we are confident for that.”

Zsolt Hirling, HUN:
We are devastated for not getting into the final. A few weeks ago I had a serious back injury and since then our dynamic is not there, the harmony is not there. I would be extremely disappointed though if not qualify for the Olympics.

Results: DEN, GRE, AUS, FRA, HUN, CAN

Elia Luini of Italy is the most medalled rower in this race, but he comes to the World Championships after a bit of an up and down season. Today, along with partner Marcello Miani, the Italians were putting it all together. Italy jumped out to an early lead settling into a 36 stroke rate for the body of the race. Very much in touch was Great Britain’s Zac Purchase and Mark Hunter, China, and also Kazushige Ura and father of four, Daisaku Takeda of Japan. Purchase and Hunter have spent the season coming second to Denmark and going through the middle of this race they moved into first. Italy fought back with Japan pushing past China to move into the ever important qualifying position. These three boats took the race to a very tight finish – Japan in first, Italy in second and Great Britain qualify from third.

Daisaku Takeda JPN:
"That was an important race for us and I am very happy for qualifying for the Olympics. This was a tough race, we have to continue to improve for the final. The Danish are very strong, but we hope to win too. We are challengers, we can beat anyone."

Zac Purchase GBR:
"We thought the race was solid, very tough. We missed out on the last 250m which was good for the others. There will be six very good teams in the final."

Results: JPN, ITA, GBR, CHN, GER, AUT

Lightweight men’s four (LM4-) – Semifinals

The Egyptian lightweight four has become the top crew of their squad and they showed their speed by leaping out at the start ahead of winners of the final Rowing World Cup, Great Britain. Going through the middle of the race Egypt still had the lead, but less than two seconds separated the top four boats with Italy and Australia right on the pace. Coming through the third 500 Egypt began to slip with Great Britain taking over in the lead closely followed by Italy and Australia. The Italians and Australians both medalled at the 2004 Olympics and three of the Italian members are back again. Australia has retained two.

The sprint to the line was on This is when World Champions China decided they needed to do a bit more. Raising their rate to 45 China charged. Great Britain and Italy reacted back. At the line Great Britain had first, Italy second and China just out-sprinted Australia to take third. After the finish the strain for Egypt’s bow, Abou Deif Abd El Razek, was too much and he had to be taken out of the boat by the rescue boat. They will return for the B Final.

James Clarke, GBR:
"In the last six weeks we were so-so, lost the edge, but today we remembered how to win, how we like to race. There are 6 great crews anyone will punish everyone who is not in form. We are in to win."

Todd Skipworth, AUS:
After coming 4th and missing out on the final: "Don't know where it went wrong, we had a good race and we put everything into it. We'll try our best on Sunday."

Results: GBR, ITA, CHN, AUS, EGY, IRE

So close. That’s the only way to describe semifinal two. Canada took off in the lead with France, starting at a rating of 51, right with the Canadians. Poland followed. As crews went through the middle of the race the entire six crews were all on the pace. Denmark’s rating of 39 taking them into third spot. Denmark have put together the youth of Morten Joergensen and Mads Andersen in the stroke half of the boat and the very experienced Eskild Ebbesen and Bo Helleberg in the bow pair. Denmark, through the 1990s and up until 2004 were coached to numerous medals by Bent Jensen. After the 2004 Olympics, Jensen moved to Canada where he coaches their lightweight four. Coming into the final sprint, France sat in the lead with Denmark and Canada side by side. Poland tried to keep up. France qualifies from first, Canada from second and Denmark earn third. Ebbesen is one step closer to going to Olympics number four and after Olympic medal number four.

Franck Solforosi, FRA:
“We make a good race. We had a good start. Canada pushed us. 1500 we had first and then we had a good finish. For final, it will be hard with six boats very close.”

Ian Brambell, CAN:
“We have one more (race) to get it right. Our aim is internal. We’re hoping to put our race together.”

Jon Beare, CAN:
On being back racing at Worlds since retirement after Athens: “It’s been fantastic. The team has been patient with me to be back at their level. It’s been an exciting process working with Bent [Bent Jensen, from Denmark, new Canadian lightweight men’s coach since 2006]. I wasn’t finished with rowing when I retired after Athens. I wasn’t sick of the sport. I was just done with making rowing my life. I wanted to do other things besides just row and Bent has made that possible. Bent has a really nice approach with rowing life balance.”

Results: FRA, CAN, DEN, POL, NED, USA

Men’s Quadruple Sculls (M4x) – Semifinals

Continuing on their two-year winning streak, World Rowing’s 2006 Team of the Year, Poland, were back in action in semifinal one. The team declared their intent to go after gold at the 2008 Olympics back in 2005 and they have been doing everything right since to make it happen. Today they overtook a fast start by France and settled into a strong 35 stroke rate pace in the lead. France held on to second with Russia and the Czech Republic fighting it out between them for the third qualifying spot. The Russian-Czech battle brought them closer to France with Russia acceleration into second. With the final sprint coming up, France and the Czech Republic charged. Poland remained in first. Russia felt the pressure and their young duo in the stroke pair positions started to crack.

At the line Poland remained in first, France qualify from second and the Czech Republic take the third qualifying spot.

Adam Korol POL:
"This race was very hard, very difficult, but this was one of the best races in our history. Italy, Germany and France will be tough in the final, but we have a good chance."

Jamie Schroeder Jr, USA:
"We tried out a new start and it went according to plan. Now we have to save our energy for the B Final to qualify for the Olympics."
On the question why he didn't race in M1x:"In the men's single sculls I may have gotten into the B Final, so we decided to see which event would be better for the Olympics. Being in the men's quad is a new and better way to use my power."

Results: POL, FRA, CZE, RUS, BLR, CUB

Ukraine are regulars in the final but rarely find the medals podium. Today they took off in the lead of the second semifinal. Settling into a good 33 stroke rate pace, Ukraine looked to be setting themselves up for a win. Italy had other ideas. The mixture of 2000 gold medal experience and youth was working well for the Italians who moved into the lead going through the third 500. Ukraine held on with Germany, stroked by Robert Sens, now moving up. Taking their rating to 38, then 42, Germany was going with the crowd support. In a very close finish, Italy had held on to first. Germany take second and Ukraine earn third. All of these boats qualify for the Olympic Games.

Luca Ghezzi, ITA:
“After Lucerne we were not doing well. We changed our number two seat and the boat is faster.”
On being fast in the final: “The Polish are the faster crew, but we were close to them in Linz.”

Chris Morgan, AUS:
On finishing fourth position and qualifying for the B Final: “It’s an improvement from earlier. We’re still learning. It’s a young crew. I’m the old one [Morgan is 24; two of his teammates are 20 and one is 22]. It’s a building process. We are very confident that we will qualify for Olympics. We were hoping for the A Final today. We’re going to go back and try harder.”

Results: ITA, GER, UKR, AUS, EST, USA

Men’s Eight (M8+) – Semifinals

Canada has not lost a race all season and today they followed the same formula in semifinal one of grabbing the lead, moving out in front and holding on to the end. This strategy has made them look like they have never truly been pushed to the end and rating a 38 in these tail wind conditions, Canada looked comfortable. This strategy also left the rest of the field to fight it out for the remaining two qualifying spots. Germany sat in second with Great Britain right on their tail. Coming into the final sprint Canada still had the lead with Great Britain taking on World Champions Germany. The Germans started to look a little ragged with their bodies loosing synchronicity. The cowbells tried to keep the Swiss hopes alive. At the line Canada take first, Great Britain, rating 42, had pushed ahead of Germany. Great Britain qualify from second and Germany from third.

Bernd Heidicker GER:
"The race was ok, but not good, the start wasn't as we wanted, then we couldn't correct our faults. We are under so much pressure from home crowd, so we couldn't have a relaxed race. We did our homework, qualified for the Olympics, so it should be less pressure on Sunday."

Kyle Hamilton, CAN:
“We did what we wanted to. We got through to the final. We didn’t have to lift much at the finish. The aim for the final is to win and just to row our race. The race is about who wants it more.”

Adam Kreek, CAN:
“It feels good to be back. It’s a good group of guys. It’s a lot of fun to compete with the best – to squeeze something out of yourself that you haven’t done before. Getting the best you can.”
On the final: “We saw our main competition in our race. Great Britain and Germany are going to be the main ones, and Russia. It’s tough in the eight to keep the best year after year. It just shows you how tough the competition is.”

Acer Nethercott, GBR:
“Qualifying for the A Final was our aim, so now that we’ve qualified for Beijing we’re ecstatic. This season was everything about Beijing so now we can go out in the final and relax and have a bit of fun.”

Results: CAN, GBR, GER, CHN, SUI, BLR

The United States started off this regatta with an average showing the heat. Today in semifinal two they were looking pretty hot. Despite Russia taking off in the lead, the United States looked smooth and together rating 38 for the body of the race. Poland followed just a little way back. Coming into the final sprint the United States picked away at Russia’s lead to finish first. Russia qualify from second and Poland take third. Polish coxswain, Daniel Trojanowski stood up in the boat in joy, Michal Stawowski, in bow, also stood up. The Poles, the happiest crew on the water had qualified for the 2008 Olympic Games.

Roel Haen NED:
"We are extremely disappointed; it wasn't the best race for us. And if you don't do your best, you are out. In the B Final finishing first is the only option."

Results: USA, RUS, POL, AUS, NED, FRA

Women’s Quadruple Sculls (W4x) – Repechages

Aiming to earn a spot in the final from these two repechages required a top two finish. Ukraine and Australia grabbed these two spots. It didn’t last long. Ukraine soon slipped back into third. Australia held on by the skin of their teeth under pressure from Romania. Ukraine found their feet again and charged at a 37 stroke rate. Australia started to fade. Canada was coming through. At the line Australia had faded completely. Ukraine and Canada qualify for the final.

Janine Hanson, CAN:
“Yeah! We’re in the A Final! We worked so hard all season, and all the work we’ve done has paid off. It’s such an accomplishment. It’s amazing.”

Results: UKR, CAN, ROU, AUS, LTU

Repechage two featured Germany who are not very accustomed to racing repechages in this event. The crew of Stephanie Schiller, Britta Oppelt, Manuela Lutze and Kathrin Boron wore suitable grimaces for the occasion. At the start the United States got themselves out to an early lead. It didn’t last long as Germany took over the front spot and settled into a steady 34 stroke rate doing just enough to hold off the Americans. France, back in third, never looked in striking distance and Germany and the United States qualified comfortably.

Results: GER, USA, FRA, RUS, BLR

Lightweight Men’s Pair (LM2-) – Repechages

Twins Jochen and Martin Kuehner of Germany led from start to finish in repechage one. With two spots open for A Final qualification the real battle went on for the second spot between Denmark and Greece. Denmark grabbed hold of it through the first half of the race. Greece fought back. Germany remained in first as the Danes and Greeks sprinted for the line. Just 0.03 seconds separated them at the line. Greece had done it. Germany and Greece move on to the final.

Results: GER, GRE, DEN, USA, CAN

Repechage two opened with France in the lead, with Japan and Great Britain right on their tails. As the field moved through the half-way point France still retained the lead and with Japan beginning to falter. This gave Great Britain’s Matt Beechey and Daniel Harte the incentive they needed. Pushing ahead, Beechey and Harte overtook France with Spain now getting in on the action and up into the second qualifying spot. All boats charged for the line. Great Britain held on to take first. An all-out sprint by France earned them the second qualifying spot.

Results: GBR, FRA, JPN, NED, ESP