Under 23s take a second chance

Today it saw the second day of under 23 racing – the repechages. Despite a rainy start the day became brighter as racing progressed. Some bobbly water and a mixture of head-cross winds made for a number of crabs as well as boats struggling to keep off the buoy lines.

Women’s Four (BW4-) – Repechages

The beauty of the repechage is it gives athletes a second chance to move on to the next round of racing. The women’s four draw meant that just one crew would miss out on the final. This race panned out like the classic fly-and-die. Italy took off at the head of the field with Ukraine closely following. But Ukraine had gone out too fast and by the second half of the race the Ukrainians had faded into fifth and out of qualifying contention. Italy, Germany, Russia and the Netherlands will advance to the final. The Italians pulled in with big smiles and seemed very satisfied with their performance.

Anna Bonciani, Cristina Romiti, Carlotta Baratto, Anita Pinto (ITA): “The race went well. The wind gave us a few problems, but it was better than yesterday as it was straight on rather than cross. We were rowing together today; there was harmony in the boat.”

Men’s Coxed Four (BM4+) – Race for Lanes

As this event is not on the Olympic rowing programme, often countries don’t put a big emphasis on this event. Only four entries meant today was a race for lanes in preparation for Sunday’s final. Italy, stroked by purple-haired Andrea Palmisano who comes directly to the under 23s following two years on the junior team, led the way. Germany took up chase, but like the Ukrainian crew before them, who also raced in lane one, they could not sustain the pace in the second half of the race. Instead it was France and Great Britain making the biggest impact on Italy as they headed for the line. Italy remained in the lead with France and Great Britain both within striking distance.

 

Lightweight Women's Single Sculls (BLW1x) – Repechages

Two repechages required a top three finish if these scullers – all weighing in at under 59kg – wanted to advance to the semifinal. Switzerland’s Eliane Waser took off in the lead ahead of Francesca Gallo of Italy. Gallo is following in her brother’s footsteps in her rowing venture and so far she has a fifth place finish from last year's World Rowing Under 23 Championships in the lightweight double. Following closely behind was Anna Moldestad of Norway. These three boats remained in qualifying position although Amina Rouba of Algeria made a huge third-quarter burst to put Moldestad’s position under threat. Rouba couldn’t maintain it and Waser, Gallo and Moldestad move on to the semifinal.

Orla Hayes of Ireland came into repechage two with the most solid lead-up to these under 23 championships. She competed in the senior Rowing World Cup series and picked up an eighth place finish at the second World Cup. But it was Monika Sajincic of Slovenia in the lead. Hayes kept the heat on Sajincic and in the process both boats moved away from the rest of the field. There was nothing in it between Sajincic and Hayes at the line with Sajincic just having the edge. Hungary’s Mariann Novak takes the third and final qualifying spot.

Lightweight Men’s Single Sculls (BLM1x) – Repechages

As the event with the most entries on the programme, the lightweight men’s single had four repechages with a top two finish necessary for advancement. In repechage one Danil Grigoryev of Russia and Mete Yeltepe of Turkey held their own private battle at the head of the field. Despite having a huge open water lead over everyone else Grigoryev and Yeltepe were going for first. The two boats remained overlapping for the entire race with Grigoryev having the edge.

Timothy Colson of Canada moves to the single after competing to a fourth place finish in last year’s double. In heat two Colson grabbed the race by the scruff of the neck and by half-way he had over a boat-length lead from Francois Libois of Belgium in second. Libois had no chance to sit on his laurels as he remained under constant threat from Norway. Libois prevailed and Colson and Libois move on to the semifinal.

Recording the fastest qualifying time Croatia’s Nikola Tomic did it in repechage three by taking off with a flying start. Italy followed suit and held the leaders' speed as Satoshi Wakayama of Japan took chase. Wakayama comes to this event following two years on his country’s junior team and worked on challenging Italy down the course. A better sprint by Wakayama, at 35 strokes per minute, denied Casiraghi of Italy of a qualifying spot. After the finish a very disappointed Casiraghi spent a long period on the boat dock, head down. Tomic and Wakayama move on to the semifinal.

Bulgaria’s Petar Ivanov and Christian Nielsen of Denmark left the start together in repechage four. This is Ivanov’s international debut but he showed racing control by pacing Nielsen for the 2000m race. At the line Nielsen took first with Ivanov qualifying from second.

Mete Yeltepe (TUR): "I did expect to have to row this repechage as we arrived Wednesday afternoon after a long journey through Amsterdam, Manchester, and then the train. Therefore I felt very tired yesterday but today I felt much better and my race was not bad."

Francois Libois (FRA): "It was constant attacks between us (Yeltepe) but finally I could detach myself. The conditions were very difficult with choppy water and lateral wind. The change to championship status marked a real large difference with the level in 2004 where I competed as well."

Lightweight Men’s Pair (BLM2-) – Repechages

Coming from racing at last year’s senior World Rowing Championships in the lightweight four, Juan Luis Fernandez Tomas and Javier Gonzalez Nieto of Spain had the psychological advantage in the first of two repechages. Gonzalez and Fernandez took the lead and worked their way away from the rest of the field. This left Australia and Serbia to go head to head with each other. A more even race by Serbia gave them enough energy at the end to pull away from Australia. Spain, finishing at a 36 stroke rate, qualify from first with Serbia taking the other qualifying spot. Both boats get to go to the final.

The second of two repechages recorded a slower time despite Germany and France keeping the heat on each other. Max Roeger and Axel Kort of Germany held the edge but both boats will qualify for the final.

Stroke Milos Nikolic (SRB): "Although we had the race under control, it was tough. We gave our best and this prepares us for the final.”

Lightweight Men’s Quadruple Sculls (BLM4x) – Repechages

The depth of this field was evident with repechage one lining up two top crews – Germany and Denmark. Denmark had last year’s under 23 champ double sitting in stroke and three seat and Germany had half of last year’s under 23 champ lightweight quad back for more. But it was Russia that took off at the start and tried to hold on. Denmark soon found their stride with Germany in hot pursuit. From first and second position Denmark and Germany move on to the final.

In one of the most exciting races of the day, Great Britain and Australia glued themselves to each other and were unrelenting. Both rating 37 strokes per minute, neither gave an inch. As the race closed in on the finish line, Australia managed to wrench themselves free of Great Britain and cross the line in the lead. Great Britain qualifies for the final from second. This is shaping up to be one of the best races on Sunday, finals day.

Bow Lars Wichert (GER): "It was hard but maybe it's better for us to have to row this repechage, it allows us stay in the spirit, come within the atmosphere once more."

Nils Stene (DEN): "There is a difference in race development from Junior to U23: last year our strength was to be the fastest in the last 1000m but here in U23 were are all older and have more power and all the crews are faster in the last 1000m. This means tighter races for us."

Women’s Single Sculls (BW1x) – Repechages

One repechage only required a top three finish for advancement to the semifinal and last year’s place 15 finisher Carin Andersson of Sweden grabbed hold of the lead from the start. Andersson follows in the mould of her country’s senior counterpart, Frida Svensson, who like Andersson, is not physically a big rower. Andersson still had the lead at the half-way point but Oxana Demchenkova of Russia was making gains. Demchenkova finished tenth in this event and comes to this race as the most experienced.

In the second half of the race Andersson started to lose steam and Camila Vargas Palomo of El Salvador took advantage of the situation. Demchenkova qualifies from first, Vargas takes second and Andersson holds on to qualify from third.

Carin Andersson (SWE): "Going to the semifinals was my objective, I've made it so now it's only about fun, no pressure any more."

Men’s Single Sculls (BM1x) – Repechages

Like the lightweight men’s single, the open men’s single also had four repechages with a top two finish required for advancement to the semifinal. In these now choppy waters the narrow and shallow single scullers had to keep their stroke rate low to handle the conditions.

Repechage one sorted itself out early in the piece with Shaun Keeling of South Africa and Janis Timofejevs of Latvia grabbing the top two spots. Keeling, who last week finished second in the single at the All Africa Games, had the lead at the start. But a stronger second half by Timofejevs reversed this. At the line both boats go on to the semifinal. Timofejevs from first.

Greece’s Andreas Tilelis handled the tricky conditions the best. He won the second repechage and scored the fastest qualifying time. This was despite Tilelis causing a false start which brought all the boats back into the starters' hands. Tilelis’ fast time was helped by a strong challenge from Patrick Loliger Salas of Mexico. Loliger was unrelenting and less than half a second separated these two crews at the finish. Both Tilelis and Loliger qualify for the semifinal.

Robert Bertram of Germany knows that he is racing in an event frequently won by Germany and with that he made no mistakes in the third repechage to take the lead and remain there. Jes Struck of Denmark put up a good challenge but was under no threat for his second place and qualifying spot. Bertram and Struck move on to the semifinal.

Fraser Berkhout of Canada is at his first international event and lining up in repechage four gave him his second international race ever. Berkhout did it in style. The Canadian took the lead and worked at moving away from Serbia. As Serbia dropped out of contention Berkhout found himself challenged by Ben Smith of Great Britain. Smith even managed to grab the lead. But Berkhout fought back. Both Berkhout and Smith move on to the semifinal.

Patrick Loliger Salas (MEX): "The semifinal is only a step to my goal: the A Final. If I get there I don't know what I'm going to do. I’m surely going to give everything and die. I felt a little bit tired from the heat yesterday but having to row one more race is good. Every race gives me more experience as I cannot come often to Europe to race, it's too expensive.”

Women’s Pair (BW2-) – Race for Lanes

Great Britain have established themselves as favourites going into Sunday’s final. Olivia Whitlam and Heather Stanning had nearly clear water over Belarus in second with just 500m of the race gone. The British duo proceeded to open up a wider gap and finished a good six seconds ahead of Romania, now in second, by the finish.

Olivia Whitlam & Heather Stanning (GBR): “We did the job: got out in front and controlled it a little bit. The conditions for the first 750m are okay, but the open bit is quite rough though.”

Men’s Pair (BM2-) – Repechages

Germany holds the World Best Time and World Championship status in this event and with the new duo of Tom Lehmann and Christoph Zimmermann holding the reins for Germany, they will want to hold onto the champ mantle. Contesting the first of two repechages, Lehmann and Zimmermann led the field. With three boats going through to the semifinal Slovenia slotted into the second spot trying desperately to hold onto the German's pace. The real battle, though, was going on for the final qualifying spot. Belarus had a stab at it at the start. Then Sweden slipped into that spot. At the line Germany, Slovenia and Sweden become the qualifying boats.

As Serbia fell back after a fast start in repechage two, Andriy Pryveda and Oleksiy Tarasenko of Ukraine took the lead. Pryveda and Tarasenko finished 14th earlier this season at the senior Rowing World Cup. It must have been a good warm-up as they battled successfully with Georgia for most of the race. Coming into the final sprint Lithuania must have found their second wind. The Lithuanians moved from the back of the field through to second in an amazing show of sprinting prowess. Ukraine, Lithuania and Georgia move on to the semifinal.

Women's Double Sculls (BW2x) – Repechages

With two repechages and two qualifying spots up for grabs from each repechage, the current under 23 champions, Jitka Antosova and Gabriela Varekova of the Czech Republic lined up in the first repechage. A medical issue in yesterday’s heat caused Antosova and Varekova to contest the repechage, but they seemed to have lost some of their fire. At the start Poland’s Magdalena Fularczyk and Kamila Socko had the lead with the Czech Republic in second. Poland held the lead through the half-way point before Antosova and Varekova took over. Both boats move on to the final.

Olena Buryak and Kateryna Tarasenko of Ukraine claimed repechage two for their own by taking the lead and within 50 strokes breaking free to a clear-water lead. No one could catch them. Hungary gave it a shot in the final sprint, but Ukraine go on to the final from first and Hungary advance from second. Bad luck for Lithuania. They were sitting easily in the second spot before catching a boat-stopping crab that set bow, Saltyte, off her seat. The Lithuanians fought back and at the line were only a tenth of a second behind Hungary.

Zsofia Bende (HUN), looking absolutely ecstatic: “We were very lucky! It was totally unexpected, much better than we were hoping. It was a big difference from yesterday, we rowed much better.”

Men’s Double Sculls (BM2x) – Repechages

Of the two repechages a top two finish was necessary for advancement to the final and in repechage one Germany’s Karl Schulze and Tim Grohmann made no bones about their intentions. Holding a 37 stroke rate through the body of the race, no one seemed able to catch the Germans. Dropping down to 34, Croatia managed to close in on Germany but they remained in second. Germany and Croatia move on to the final.

In repechage two Nigeria lined up. The duo hoped to race this regatta as lightweights but had the weight wrong and ended up facing the big men of the double. Showing the most speed at the start, Italy took off like a rocket. But Greece had soon reeled them back in. Then Bernhard Garn and Stefan Schwarz of Austria took over and never looked back. Greece tried to challenge back as Italy dropped off the pace. Austria and Greece get to advance to the final.

Stroke Joseph Funsho (NGR): “You know we have no boats in Nigeria, we just do land exercises. But what do I want for the future? I want Nigerian rowing to be known all over Africa and all over the world!”

Men’s Four (BM4-) – Repechage

Just one repechage meant that crews needed to be in the top three for advancement. Romania must have wanted a lane nearer to the middle in the final as they took off in the lead and did everything possible to move away from the rest of the field. Sitting in bow for Romania, Ionut Moisa is one of the most experienced in the crew. He has been racing internationally since being on the junior team in 2004. This season Moisa joined the senior squad and raced at two Rowing World Cups in the four.

Meanwhile, behind the Romanians Slovenia, Poland and Belarus battled it out for the remaining two spots. A fade by Slovenia gave Belarus and Poland the remaining two qualifying spots.

Lightweight Women’s Double Sculls (BLW2x) – Repechages

Averaging 57kg in weight these scullers aimed for a top three finish in the two repechages to keep their medal winning hopes alive as they aimed to be in the semifinal. Greece has a top crew in this event at the senior level and today, at the under 23 level, the nation showed it had developed some rowing depth. The Greeks took off in the lead, but there was very little in it between the top four crews. Even at the half-way point four crews still were all in striking distance of first.

Greece tried to hold on to the lead but Eugenie Vince and Coralie Ribeil of France had other ideas. With just 500m left to row France had pulled through to the lead. Greece held on to second. The last qualifying spot was unclear. Both Spain and Russia were right there. At the line a photo finish called France in first with Greece just a bow ball back and Spain managed to shake off Russia to take the final spot.

In one of the tightest races of the day repechage two saw the lead swap and change regularly. First Carly Cottam and Ingrid Fenger of Australia had it. Then Jessica Svensson and Cecilia Lilja of Sweden took over. Finally Switzerland’s Antonina Iagovitina and Olivia Wyss found the top spot. But all of the drama wasn’t happening at the front of the field. Japan had been sitting in qualifying contention when a boat stopping crab made them lose their rhythm and push them into the next lane. Japan tried to get back but finish out of qualifying position.

Switzerland, Australia and Sweden advance to the semifinal.

Coralie Ribeil (FRA): “We need to do races and it's really all benefit to us because we now sculled in bad conditions and if they are the same for the semi and the finals we have an advantage over the crews who qualified directly yesterday."

Mar Bosch Surroca (GRE): "We have water everywhere and a lot in the boat. From the 1000m onwards all I thought about was to scull as technically good as possible and not capsize."

Antonina Iagovitina (SUI): "I was very nervous before the race but it went very well. We had some problems with direction throughout the race but physically we feel good. We know you need a little bit of luck in the semifinal but our objective is clearly the A Final.”

Lightweight Men’s Double Sculls (BLM2x) – Repechages

Davide Riccardi and Francesco Rigon of Italy have come together in the double just recently. Rigon moves up from the junior team while Riccardi raced two years ago to a medal at the under 23 level. Together they led the first of two repechages. Despite just needing a top three finish Riccardi and Rigon wanted to stamp their mark and they kept the power on to remain in the lead.

Meanwhile, Austria, Turkey and Japan battled it out for second. Japan had it for a bit, then Turkey took it off them, then Austria claimed it. All three boats would have to sprint for their life. Junya Nishimoto and Ryota Yamamoto of Japan sprinted the best pulling into second. Turkey also put up a fine sprint performance and for that earn third and a qualifying spot.

Repechage two was led by Lukasz Zubek and Bartlomiej Lesniak of Poland who are competing at their first ever international regatta. They held the lead over Dennis Bernhardsson and Jim Froeblom of Sweden, who, for their turn had a lot to deal with under a strong challenge from Norway. Coming into the line Sweden and Poland went for gold. Norway, now in third, left them to it. Sweden beat out Poland in a photo finish with Norway taking the final qualifying spot.

Svein Urban Ringstad (NOR): "We've only been rowing together for a month and it's going better and better; therefore it's ok for us to be in the repechage."

Lightweight Men’s Four (BLM4-) – Repechage

The top three boats in repechage one of two repechages looked remarkably like the country calls for this as a senior event – Denmark, Germany and Italy. Germany got out of the starting blocks the quickest, but they were unable to hold Italy who all won gold medals last year at the senior World Rowing Championships in the lightweight eight. Germany then had to worry about Denmark, also with an experienced crew. Coming into the line Italy remained in front with Germany taking second and Denmark qualifying from third.

Both France and Canada wanted first. Both were unrelenting right through to the finish. Both recorded almost identical times as when they crossed the Strathclyde Park finish line. This is how repechage two panned out. Canada grabbed the lead with France hot on their case. Spain tried to hold on but seemed to slip further and further back as the race progressed. Despite the closeness between the top two crews the order did not change. Canada, France and Spain advance to the semifinal.

Fabrizio Gabriele (ITA): "It was really difficult".
Martino Goretti (ITA): "Yes, but we are not too tired as we couldn't push hard, you had to row really smoothly."

Nicolas Moutton (FRA): "In the middle of the race the wind suddenly struck us and all the boats were pushed laterally. We really have to be very good technically in these conditions.”

Women’s Quadruple Sculls (BW4x) – Repechages

Many of the athletes in the British boat in repechage one have come to rowing through Great Britain talent identification schemes. Many of the athletes in the Romanian boat, also in repechage one, have been selected to row sometimes as young as 13 years old. Today the two systems met, both aiming for a top two position necessary for advancement to the final. Great Britain, stroked by the tall Lauren Fisher, got out in to the lead with Ukraine not far behind. By the half-way point the Romanians were closing, having overtaken Ukraine. Both Romania and Great Britain sprinted for the line. Romania got there first. Great Britain qualifies from second.

The fast of the two repechages, repechage two opened with the Netherlands in the lead. Dutch rowing mainly grows from club and university participation and today they tried to hold their own against France and Australia, who also follow a talent identification system as well as encouraging those who do the sport in high school to carry on. With just two spots available and all crews sitting around 33 – 34 strokes per minute, someone was going to have to break away. France, the Netherlands and Australia charged for the line. Australia and the Netherlands were successful. They will advance to the final.

Atlanta St. John (GBR): "We've only been rowing 2 weeks together, each race makes us better.”

Renee Kirby (AUS), to the coach, after a very close race with the Netherlands and France: "Did we win? No way!"
Emma McCarthy (AUS), asking the coach: "Did we give you a heart attack?" Why? "Because we were hoping to be out at the start which we clearly didn't do. We only really made it in the last part.”

Ellen Maas (NED): “We have been training here for the last week which was good to get used to the conditions. From my experience of 3 years in the U23, I can tell you that the crews are really of a very high level in the BW4x this year."

Men’s Quadruple Sculls (BM4x) – Repechages

The two repechages in the men’s quad needed a top three finish if boats wanted to make the semifinal. In repechage one Hungary staked their claim at the start but were soon hauled back in by Slovenia stroked by Gasper Fistravec with Romania also putting the Hungarians under pressure. With just 500m remaining, Slovenia, Romania and Hungary were well-established in the top three spots but no one was willing to give in. These three crews advance to the semifinals.

Repechage two was all about neck-and-neck racing. Going through the first 500m mark less than one-and-a-half seconds separated the entire race. Going through the half-way point, less than two seconds separated the top four boats. Going into the third 500m the Czech Republic had found the lead with Switzerland and Russia right on their heels. These three boats kept their rating around 33 – 34 strokes per minute. These three boats charged for the finish. Stroke rates rose. Lactic acid burned. At the line the Czech Republic, Switzerland and Russia are the crews to advance to the semifinal.

Ioan Mihaila (ROU): "It was our mistake yesterday that we didn't make it to the semis directly. We also had some problems with our technique in these conditions but hope to do better tomorrow."

Ondrej Hlavicka (CZE): "It was a hard race and even harder from the 1000m onwards as it became very windy. We were not 100% prepared and this race is really an advantage to us. It's better than if we only had the heats."

Women’s Eight (BW8+) – Race for Lanes

The United States are the reigning World Champions in this event. They also hold the World Best Time. They get to call upon a huge talent pool that come out of a very healthy university rowing system. They were in the lead. Usually margins are small in eights racing; the USA didn’t respect that and opened up a clear water lead. All other crews raced for second. It is easy to see who will be the dominant boat in Sunday’s final.

Men’s Eight (BM8+) – Repechage

With one repechage made up of four boats, just one boat would drop off and not get the opportunity to advance to the semifinal. Who would it be? Spain made sure it wouldn’t be them by taking the lead and opening up a sizeable gap. The Netherlands did their best to follow a similar tactic. This left Belgium and the Czech Republic to fight it out for the final spot. It all came down to the final sprint as both boats held similar speeds throughout the race. The Czech Republic were the better sprinters. Belgium misses out.