Last chance racing for Paralympic hopefuls

AS women’s single sculls (ASW1x) – Final

An elated Joan Reid of Canada kept her Paralympic dream alive in the AS women’s single sculls (ASW1x) as she powered into to the lead right from the start.  Reid has been waiting for this moment ever since she missed the 2008 Paralympic Games because of an injury. Reid’s 6:03 gold medal time was 22 seconds faster than a very satisfied Sandra Khumalo from South Africa, who was racing in her first international regatta.  A solid finishing sprint by newcomer Donna Fink of the United States helped her push past Hungary’s Monika Lengyel for the bronze in a time of 6:37.

Qualified Crews: Canada and South Africa

Joan Reid (CAN) – Gold
“The conditions for the race were great. It’s fabulous here in Serbia. The goal of the Paralympics motivated me.”

Sandra Khumalo (RSA) – Silver
“I am satisfied! It was a tough race and I am proud of myself because this was my first race”

Dana Fink (USA) – Bronze
“The race was great for me, I had a lot of things to work on. I am happy with the finish. The key moment in the race was when, at 500m I had to make a move, which I did very successfully."

AS men’s single sculls (ASM1x) – Final

The seasoned contenders in the AS men’s single sculls (ASM1x) left nothing behind in their quest to be one of the top two. It was a race of sweet redemption for Brazil’s Luciano Luna de Oliveira, who missed qualifying by only one spot at last year’s World Championships in Bled. His gold medal performance in Belgrade secured his entry to the Paralympic regatta at the end of August. Not far behind him the battle was on between two-time silver medallist Andrii Kryvchun of Ukraine and Germany’s Johannes Schmidt, who also missed out on qualifying last year in Bled. It was not to be the German’s day as he fell off the pace of the leaders and finished in third, and three seconds back of Kryvchun who took the silver.

Qualified Crews: Brazil and Ukraine

Luciano Luna de Oliveira (BRA) – Gold
“It was a rough race, we worked a lot. But Brazil needs a strong competitor like me.”

Andri Kryvchun (UKR) – Silver
“I’ve been competing for Ukraine for three years now and while I am satisfied with the final score I think I can still do better.”

TA mixed double sculls (TAMix2x) – Final

The USA crew of Oksana Masters and Robert Jones stormed to an early lead over seasoned Brazil in the TA mixed double sculls (TAMix2x).  Their lead would not be relinquished as they continued to increase the distance in the second 500 metres of the race over Beijing Paralympic bronze medalist and 2007 World Champion Josiane Lima and her new partner Isaac Ribeiro. Across the line it was the Americans in 4:11 for gold, Brazil in 4:18 for silver, and Russia’s Nadezda Andreeva and Fedor Levin further back in 4:37 for bronze.

Qualified Crews: USA and Brazil

Oksana Masters & Robert Jones (USA) – Gold
“We are both satisfied! We have been rowing together in the double for 7 months now. This is our 1st time in Belgrade.”

Josiane Lima (Brazil) – Silver
“It was a good and safe race. The USA were brilliant. We gave our best. We are thankful to FISA and the Belgrade organisers, it has been a great experience!”

Nadezda Andreeva & Fedor Levin (RUS) – Bronze
“We are very satisfied. It was pretty good race.”

LTA mixed coxed four (LTAMix4+) – Final

It was a very close finish in the LTA mixed coxed four (LTAMix4+) when the South African crew looked to have secured the win over Italy and Brazil, who battled for second and third respectively throughout most of the race. A frantic last minute sprint by Italy, the 2008 Paralympic champions, and Brazil, the 7th place finishers at the 2008 Paralympics, left South Africa missing out on the Paralympics by an agonizing 0.32 seconds. At the line it was a tight finish for all three crews — an overjoyed Italy earned the victory in a time of 3:33, only one second margin over a relieved Brazil who secured the final spot to London.

Qualified Crews: Italy and Brazil

Alessandro Franzetti (ITA) – Gold
"We were preparing for this for 1 year. It was a great race. Our crew and RSA were very close but we found energy to win".

Dutra Andre (BRA) – Silver
“The race was tough, the rest of the competitors were brave, and they were prepared very well. I liked like it here because of the lake and the nature.”

Candice Samuel (RSA) – Bronze
"We were third, but it’s still a good result. We’ve been practicing for 9 months as a crew. We enjoy Serbia very much."