YOG qualification spots distributed at junior champs

As the clouds cleared, the A-finals experienced rising temperatures with continued flat water and the chance to qualify for next year’s Youth Olympic Games (YOG).  At the end of 13 events, Germany had earned gold in seven of them. 

Junior Women's Four (JW4-) – Final A

What did the world do before cell phones? As the boats headed through the last 100m of the first A-final of the 2009 World Rowing Junior Championships, cell phones were being well used – especially by those ringing Australia.

Australia has a new plan. Their athletes here are part of a long term training programme aiming for the 2016 Olympic Games. They have low expectations of medals this year. But in this race, not only did they medal, they took away gold. The Australians did it by getting out to a fast start over Great Britain and holding on. Through the middle of the race, Australia and Great Britain held on to the two leading positions with Germany and China holding their own private battle for third. The Chinese team has named this boat as their biggest medal prospect for this regatta and the team was doing their country proud.

In the final sprint Australia managed to break away from Great Britain to cross the line in first with China, now rating 42, bearing down on Great Britain. The British held them off.

The top three places qualified their country for the Youth Olympic Games.

Results: AUS – GBR – CHN – GER – FRA – USA

Anna Kaszycki, Hannah Vermeersch, Peta White, Jessica Molsher-Jones (AUS) – Gold
“We are really excited. I don’t remember much of the race but the start felt really good and then it just got better and better. We definitely will party tonight. And this is a great motivation to keep on rowing – maybe we will aim for the eight in 2016.” Jessica Molsher-Jones

Amber Anderson, Olivia Carnegie-Brown, Caragh McMurtry, Brianna Stubbs (GBR) – Silver
“ This is amazing, it hurts so much. Last year Olivia and I were bronze medallists, this year it’s the silver medal, maybe next year there will be even more.” Amber Anderson

Junior Men's Coxed Four (JM4+) – Final A

You can not deny the sprinting powers of the Italians. They may have lost some ground through the middle of the race but they redeemed themselves by letting loose with a 41 stroke rate sprint after more than 200 strokes had been rowed. The Italians, however, were not in the lead. Setting the pace was Germany. The Germans had 15 year old Leopold Bertz guiding them in the coxswain seat with Maximilian Schnitker setting the pace in stroke seat. Both of these rowers are competing at their first junior championships.

Through the middle of the race Australia followed closely but the Germans had a better rhythm and were squeezing away. Italy then began to come through to take on the Australians. Germany, rating 35 towards the line, kept up their speed to ensure the gold. Australia managed to hold off Italy’s wild sprint to take second. Italy earned the bronze.

Results: GER – AUS – ITA – FRA – GBR – CAN

Anna Kaszycki, Hannah Vermeersch, Peta White, Jessica Molsher-Jones (AUS) – Gold
“We are really excited. I don’t remember much of the race but the start felt really good and then it just got better and better. We definitely will party tonight. And this is a great motivation to keep on rowing – maybe we will aim for the eight in 2016.” Jessica Molsher-Jones

Amber Anderson, Olivia Carnegie-Brown, Caragh McMurtry, Brianna Stubbs (GBR) – Silver
“ This is amazing, it hurts so much. Last year Olivia and I were bronze medallists, this year it’s the silver medal, maybe next year there will be even more.” Amber Anderson

Junior Women's Single Sculls (JW1x) – Final A

China did not make it to last year’s junior championships, their energies instead focused on the Olympic Games. This year they are back and they presented Ting Cao in the single. Cao got off the line the fastest and established an early lead over the favourite from Germany, Lisa Schmidla. Schmidla had showed herself to be the one to beat coming through the heats and semifinals and today she settled into a steady pace through the middle of the race that served the German well enough to get the lead.

The less consistent race tactic of Cao was taking its toll and Virginia Diaz Rivaz of Spain used this as an opportunity to push mast. The tall Diaz Rivaz is turning out to be the most successful Spanish rower at this regatta. Cao would have to work hard to overtake. As Germany’s junior champion in the single, Schmidla cruised to the line at a 29 stroke rate pace, Cao upped her rating to 43 and tried to get ahead of Diaz Rivas. The Spaniard held her cool. 

All of these A-final boats qualified their country for a spot in the Youth Olympic Games.

Results: GER – ESP – CHN – CUB – SLO – AUT

Lisa Schmidla (GER) – Gold
“At the beginning of the race I was in the middle of the field and even had to turn around to be able to see the Chinese who was leading at the time. But I knew that my base stroke is strong and at the 1000m I set my major sprint. Then I only saw how I kept moving away. The last 1000m I just pushed. I still can’t believe it was the gold medal at the end. This is great. I will have a holiday now, but I will definitely continue to row. I loved the course here: hardly any wind and beautiful to row.”

Virginia Diaz Rivas (ESP) – Silver
“It was a very hard race but now I just feel really happy and full of emotion. After this I take a little break but will soon be back rowing in the north of Spain..,  

Ting Cao (CHN) – Bronze
“I’m really happy.”

Junior Men's Single Sculls (JM1x) – Final A

Does Germany have a new face of single sculling? Coming into the winners pontoon at the end of the race, Felix Bach exclaimed, ‘I can’t believe it’. The grin from ear to ear showed it all.

In a race that saw the lead change several times, Ukraine opened with the fastest start. Olexandr Nadtoka of Ukraine could not maintain it and by the half way point Serbia was now in front. But these two early leaders had gone out too hard at the start. The third 500 began to sort out those who had paced themselves well. Poland’s Kamil Zajkowski and China’s Wanjie Yuan were pushing through. Where was Bach?

Germany had done nothing spectacular through the first half of the race. He was down at the start and could only manage fourth in the middle 1000. The final sprint was coming into view. What could the German do?

With the early leaders, Ukraine and Serbia slipping back, four boats still had the energy to charge for the line. Matthew Maddamma of the United States was right there, so was Yuan, Zajkowski and Bach. A wild flurry of four boats towards the line made it difficult to see who had done it.

All of these six boats qualified their country for a spot in the Youth Olympic Games

Results: GER – POL – CHN – USA – UKR – SRB

Felix Bach (GER) – Gold
“Oh my god, this is unbelievable. I arrived here with the goal to make it to the A-final and by this to qualify for the Youth Olympics and I already thought that this was an ambitious goal. I never thought gold was possible – fourth place maybe, but not this. The first time, I thought I could actually make it into the medals was at 1250m and then I just gave it a go and pushed and pushed. I will be back next year.”

Kamil Zajkowski (POL) – Silver
“It was a really hard race in very hot conditions and so close at the end. I still don’t know how much was in it and can’t wait to see the times. It’s a very happy end to my career as a junior and I’m looking forward to continuing next year but next year  with the seniors.”

Junior Women's Pairs (JW2-) – Final A

Jumping out at the start, Alena Kryvasheyenka and Anastasiya Skrobut of Belarus began like they hoped to finish. The duo are on their first national team for Belarus and at 18 years old they will move on to the under 23 or senior team next year. Behind them Mihaela Petrila and Andreea Boghian of Romania followed closely. The Romanian pair competed together two years ago in the quad. Last year they separated. Petrila rowed the single and Boghian finished second in the pair.

Coming into the third 500, Belarus still had the lead with China (Dameng Yin and Tian Miao) now moving on Romania. The rest of the field were well back, barring disaster, pretty much out of attacking range of the leaders. Romania then decided that gold was what they really wanted. In a solid sprint to the line, Petrila and Boghian not only overtook the Belarusians, they opened a gap.

The top five places in this event qualified their country for a place in the Youth Olympic Games.

Results: ROU – BLR – CHN – ITA – RSA – USA

Mihaela Petrila, Boghian Andreea (ROU) – Gold
“Conditions were very hot but we managed to make the difference in the middle of the race. We dreamt of this all week and now it has happened. I just feel so happy!” Andreea Boghian

Alena Kryvasheyenka, Anastasiya Skrobut (BLR) – Silver
“We are very happy.” Anastasiy Skrobut

Junior Men's Pairs (JM2-) – Final A

 Half an hour before the start of their race these 12 rowers from six nations took to the water to work their way past the spectators, past the finish tower, past the grandstand and along through the quiet park surroundings that encompass the Lac du Causse rowing course. They all had their own warm up pattern. They all had their own race plan in mind.

Right from the start the Serbians were on fire. Igor Lucic and Luka Djordjevic knew they were fast after time trials in their own country and today they had a finishing time in mind. Sitting one lane over were the Greeks. They also had high expectations. And one lane over from the Greeks were France. Benjamin Fauchie and Matthieu Moinaux of France had the home course advantage on their side and the will to match. At the start Lucic and Djordjevic took off at a fast pace and opened up to a clear water lead going through the middle of the race.

Could anyone catch the Serbians?

As Lucic and Djordjevic opened up a bigger gap France tried to catch Greece. The crowd could see what was unfolding. Excitement was rife. Serbia finished just a fraction outside of an unofficial World Best Time. Greece pulled through to second and France took a well deserved bronze.

The top five places in this event qualified their country for a spot in the Youth Olympic Games

Results: SRB – GRE – FRA – LTU – BUL – CRO

Igor Lucic, Luka Djordjevic (SRB) – Gold
“Our plan was to dominate all races here and we did as planned. We had a strong race from start to finish.” Luka Djordjevic
“With 35-36 we rated higher than we normally do. We hoped to break the world record, as we did at our home course in Belgrad a few weeks ago. But the wind was not good for that and also we didn’t have our best strokes in this race. Next year we want to back at the U23 champs and get a medal there also.” Igor Lucic

Christos Koutsiaftis, Evripidis Sklivanitis (GRE) – Silver
“It was very hot and very hard. We got the fastest start but the Serbs were just too strong. We had to fight hard again at the end as the French tried to beat us for silver. Now it’s time for holidays, no rowing, just swimmimg!”  Christos Koutsiaftis

Benjamin Fauchie, Matthieu Moinaux (FRA) – Bronze
“ It’s incredible to win this bronze medal in front of our home-crowd in our country. Especially as we started into this regatta with only the goal to make the final A.” Matthieu Moinaux
“But after the different races we thought that it was actually possible to finish here with a really good result. Our start during the final was really bad but we didn’t give up. Now we are just going to enjoy this medal and celebrate with our families.” Benjamin Fauchie
 

Junior Women's Double Sculls – Final A

 Julia Lier and Marie-Catherine Arnold of Germany showed utter dominance in this event. They came through from the semifinals as one of the favourites but they still had to go up against the strong Czech double of Lenka Antosova and Denisa Cvancarova.

Going through the middle of the race Lier and Arnold had earned a handy lead with three crews, Ireland, the Czech Republic and China practically neck-and-neck. Then in the increasing heat of the day Ireland began to slip back. China and the Czech Republic held on. The Germans remained in control at the head of the field. At a strong 35 stroke rate pace, Lier and Arnold crossed the line in first.

The top three places in this event qualified a spot for the country in the Youth Olympic Games

Results: GER – CZE – CHN – CHN – IRL – ROU – ITA

Julia Lier, Marie-Catherine Arnold (GER) – Gold
“The plan was to be in front right from the start and we managed to do that. Then we only had to hold the field and everything worked out as planned. The course here as well as the surrounding is very cool and we really liked it.” Julia Lier
“Next year we want to be at the U23 champs and from there we will see. But now we’ll have a break, even though my holidays finished already last week and I will have to back in school on Monday.” Marie-Catherine Arnold

Lenka Antosova, Denisa Cvancarova (CZE) – Silver
“We are just so happy! The race went really quickly. I think it was our fastest race ever. Now it’s time for holidays and some freedom.” Lenka Antosova

Rui Zhang, Yuwei Wang (CHN) – Bronze
“This result is really good and we are happy about this bronze medal.” Wang Yuwei

Junior Men's Double Sculls – Final A

 Lying cooling in the lake were a couple of Champaign bottles. They were situated not far from the winners podium. As the heat of the day continued to rise, many rowers must have been wishing they were lying in the water. In the 186th race of the day, Germany continued on their winning ways. Hubert Trzybinski and Timo Piontek of Germany knew that they had something special. They had been recording fast times over the past three days and they were ready for a medal chance today.

At the start no crew really dominated. Germany, Romania and Lithuania got off the line a little bit quicker, but there was very little in it between all of the crews. Then Piontek and Trzybinski managed to earn a slight edge. The rest of the pack remained locked together – only two seconds separating all of them.

The slight lead by the Germans had given them the impetus that they needed. Piontek and Trzybinski then completely broke away. Coming into the line Piontek and Trzybinski had the gold. Meanwhile it was all happening behind them. Italy, Lithuania and Romania were charging. It would take a photo finish to decide the order.

The top three places in this event qualified their country for a spot in the Youth Olympic Games.

Results: GER – ROU – LTU – ITA – SRB – CHN

Hubert Trzybinski, Timo Piontek (GER) – Gold
“After the results in the other races here, I guess we could expect this, but we didn’t really. It always depends on the shape you are in at the actual day and the crews here in the Final all know how to row and all of them have the potential to become World Champion. We had hoped for this, but that it actually worked out is just fantastic. We really get along well, as crew mates, but also with our rowing technique and we enjoy rowing together.” Hubert Trzybinski

Petru Codau, Christi-Ilie Parghie (ROU) – Silver
“We are happy about this bronze medal”. Petru Codau

Kestutis Juozenas, Algirdas Bendaravicius (LTU) – Bronze
“I already won bronze last year in Linz but had a new partner this year. He broke his leg two weeks ago, so I was partnered with our single sculler who has only been rowing for one and a half years. He was expecting to get a C final at best so getting an A final and a medal is really fantastic.
Some one has just given me the flag from last year and it still has my smell on it.” Algirdas Bendaravicius

Junior Men's Four – Final A

 Following racing earlier this week, the men’s four looked to be shaping up to be an exciting final. The six boats competing did not disappoint. At the start Australia came out with Great Britain holding on tightly. A bit of a kick through the second 500 gave the Brits the edge with Romania still very much on the pace.

Great Britain, now in the lead, looked like they were able to relax a little and really attack the guts of the race. Romania looked like they were the only ones that had a hope of catching them. Great Britain, however, had other ideas. Upping their stroke rate to 40, Great Britain looked at getting the first medal for their country at this regatta. They did it.

The top three places qualified a spot for their country in the Youth Olympic Games.

Results: GBR – ROU – AUS – SLO – ESP – GER

Andrew Holmes, Jason Phillips, William Perham, Constantine Louloudis (GBR) – Gold
“We were put under a lot of pressure during the first part of the race especially up to 750m but from then on we felt we could do it. We stayed really focused on our own boat and our own rowing through to the end. It’s a great feeling to be in this place.” Jason Philipps 

Silviu-Stefanita Voinoiu, Alexandru Palamariu, Ionut-Alexandru Tache, Leon Pop (ROU) – Silver
“We are happy, but we did expect to achieve much more. We wanted to win, but it’s hard to control emotions and stress of a final. Silver is nice though too.” Silviu-Stefanita Voinoiu

Daniel Brighthope, Michael Poulter, Thomas Chapman, James Gatti (AUS) – Bronze
“We had a great start and led for almost 500 meters, so we were exactly where we wanted to be. Unfortunately the British crew made an amazing push but we did everything we could. I would like to congratulate them for this tremendous race. Now we are going to celebrate this with our team and maybe get some few drinks” Michael Poulter

Junior Women's Quadruple Sculls – Final A

 Australia have been surprising themselves today with such positive results and it must have given their women’s quad a boost as they leapt out into the lead at the start. France sat close beside them. By the half way point China had moved up, but it was still Australia and France setting the pace. At last year’s Olympic Games China won their first Olympic gold ever in rowing in this event and this quad must have felt the inspiration.

Going through the third 500, China showed their stamina and moved ahead of Australia and France still on the pace. Then Germany realised that they better do something pretty special if they wanted a medal. With stroke Sonja Wittemann picking up the pace, Germany started to close on France in third. In a very close finish four boats crossed the line with just two seconds separating them. The French crowd waited in anticipation. This time they were not so lucky.

The top three places qualified a spot for their country in the Youth Olympic Games.

Results: CHN – AUS – GER – FRA – NED – NZL

Jessica Hall, Maddie Edmunds, Amy Fowler, Alexandra Hagan (AUS) – Silver
“Right now I’m dead tired, totally exhausted. It was a 38 hour trip to get here, and we have gone from the pretty cool weather of the Australian winter to the really hot conditions here but it’s worth it and even now I would recommend rowing to any of my friends.” Jessica Hall

Lena Rauschenbach, Judith Sievers, Nele Schuermann, Sonja Wittemann (GER) – Bronze
“We are very satisfied with this result. It was a bit chaotic during the race, because we did so many sprints that we kind of lost track of where we were. And at some stage in the race we where not sure if we would make it into the medals. But it worked out well and our final sprint was great.” Sonja Wittemann

Junior Men's Quadruple Sculls – Final A

 There is a buoy marking the edge of the rowing course, just near the finish line. It catches crews rowing up to the start. It catches crews rowing away from the medals ceremony. It will be one of the most photographed buoys in the world. The six crews in the men’s quad had to rely on someone in the crew looking around to check for hazards like buoys. It was probably the last thing on their mind as they raced towards the finish of this 189th race of the regatta.

The name Germany has been heard many times today. It got heard again in this event when stroke Max Planer took his German crew into the lead at the start of the 2000m course. Max is a popular guy around the rowing venue with a support team that wear his name on their backs. By the middle of the race the Czech Republic had moved up on the Germans with Ukraine in third. As the race progressed it looked like only the Czechs had a chance of getting up to the Germans. They tried their best. Back in fourth New Zealand tried even harder.

New Zealand’s stroke rate went to 39. The Czech Republic followed suit. Germany held on… and won.

The top three places qualified a spot for their country in the Youth Olympic Games.

Results: GER – CZE – NZL – UKR – POL – ARG

Michel Overlack, Florian Eidam, Paul Heinrich, Max Planer (GER) – Gold
“We had a great start and we knew we were the faster crew over the first 1000m and had to watch the Czech who are especially strong on the second 1000. Our sprints worked out really well. We’ll celebrate now. We have waited for this party for five weeks.” Max Planer
“It was great when we were still in front in the second half, I knew we could win this. The last 1000m were just a fight.” Michael Overlack

David Szabo, Jan Pilc, Jakub Podrazil, Jan Andrle (CZE) – Silver
“It was really hard, we did our best but the German crew was better. This silver medal is a really good result for us, since when we arrived here we were just hoping to be in the big final. Now we are going to come back home and have a big celebra    tion there.” Jan Pilc

Giacomo Thomas, Evan Kennedy, Julian Svoboda, Hayden Cohen (NZL) – Bronze
“We did everything as we had planned for the race, but the other crews were just that much faster. At a personal level this is my third season in rowing and it has been a massive amount of work, but I’m still game for some more.” Giacomo Thomas

Junior Women's Eight – Final A

 It may have taken until the close of the day, but the United States pulled it off. In their priority event, the women’s eight, the Americans rowed a very well paced race to be the easy winners. The United States are the Olympic Champions in the eight and also hold the World Best Time. With the success of their juniors today, it looks like their domination of this event will continue.

At the start of the race New Zealand got off the line first. New Zealand came to the final through the repechage and, thus, had had one more race than the Americans. It must have served them well. By the half way point the United States had moved into the lead but New Zealand was sticking to them like glue. This leaders tussle left the rest of the field over a length back. As crews moved into the final stretch Germany, who had been sitting out of the medals in fourth, went after the Romanians in third.

Germany had a good push. Romania had no answer. The United States, New Zealand and Germany are the medallists.

The top three places in this event earned a spot for their country in the Youth Olympic Games.

Results: USA – NZL – GER – ROU – FRA – RUS

Elisabeth Murray, Molly Hamrick, Brandy Herald, Rebaca Felix, Louise Breen, Michelle Pearson, Kristin Wentzel, Kelly Bauer, Chelsea Lucas (USA) – Gold
“We were confident that if we were in the first place after 500 meters, we would be able to win. We weren’t thinking of the fact that we were the defending champions. Now we are all going to celebrate together and have some fun!” Chelsea Lucas

Catherine Shields, Robyn Munro, Tarsha Williams, Hayley Hoogeveen, Zoe Stevenson, Eve Macfarlane, Kirstyn Goodger, Jennifer Storey, Frances Turner (NZL) – Silver
“It was a very fast race right from the start and we gave it everything we had, but the Americans were just too strong. It’s still great though to be in the medals.” Kirstyn Goodger

Sara Davids, Wiebke Hein, Theda Lehmann, Anna-Maria Goetz, Marie Wintjen, Charlotte Siering, Constanze Siering, Mandy Gruner, Julia Kosmol (GER) – Bronze
“We are very happy. We didn’t really expect this. We will celebrate tonight.” Marie Wintjen

Junior Men's Eight – Final A

Germany finished the day like they had begun – in the lead. The Germans got off to a fast start over Italy and kept the pressure on to hold that margin. Behind them Great Britain and Italy held on tightly to the pace that had been set. Great Britain then did a solid push through the third 500 to take the lead.

Coming through to the final sprint the United States upped their stroke rate to close on Italy. The Italians, now rating 39, did their best to hold them off. They had the son of the famous Abbagnale sitting in six seat. Despite this, the Germans remained in the lead. At the line the joy and celebration by the entire Italian crew made it look as though they had won gold. Germany looked pretty pleased as well. They had just won the seventh gold of the regatta for their country.

The top three spots in this event earned a spot for their country in the Youth Olympic Games.

Results: GER – GBR – ITA – USA – ESP – ROU

Lucas Artmann, Felix Krane, Leonhard Zerni, Hannes Ocik, Hanno Hagenstroem, Arne Schwiethal, Julien Corzilius, Tobias Oppermann, Henri Kuper (GER) – Gold
“Great, this was a start to finish victory. We followed our tactics as planned and it worked out really well. In the heat the British took of at 1000m, so this time we did two sprints around that mark. I believe this how we broke them and we won. There will be lots to celebrate tonight.” Henri Kuper JM4- JW8

Max Monfared, Edward Nainby-Luxmoore, Matthew Tatlock, Stephen Jones, Samuel Arnot, Stewart Innes, Caspar Jopling, George Rossiter, Franz Imfeld (GBR) – Silver
“The crew did everything possible and we gave it our all but the Germans were the better crew on the day. We are disappointed but congratulations to Germany on a great performance.” Stewart Innes