Men's Single Sculls Final

Over the last year Ondrej Synek of the Czech Republic has been dominating this event and coming through to this final Synek looked again to be the one to beat. The Czech sculler is known for doing just enough work in the early rounds of racing and not giving too much information away. This was the case again in Belgrade. 

In today’s final Synek tried a new tactic of going out quickly at the start and getting into a dominating position where he could watch the field. This tactic was going well until Germany’s Marcel Hacker decided to pull out a big piece. Going through the 750m mark Hacker had the lead. But Synek was ready and waiting and counter attacked. Hacker, however did not give up and these two scullers went head-to-head through the middle of the race.

Hacker, who won bronze at the 2000 Olympic Games, has had an up and down career in the single but during his career he has been part of some of the most memorable races. Today was looking like it would be one of them. With 500m left to row, Hacker had got his nose ahead of Synek again. The Czech, however proved that he was ready and pressed on to take back the lead and cross the line in first. Hacker scored a well-deserved silver and Mindaugas Griskonis of Lithuania earned the bronze.

Results: CZE, GER, LTU, BLR, BEL, GBR

Gold  – Ondrej Synek – CZE

I had an injury in March so couldn’t train for quite a few weeks and every stroke was painful right through until the finish, but I’m really happy to get the win.

Silver  – Marcel Hacker – GER

I’m tired and happy after that race. I’m very satisfied with the result, this guy from the Czech Republic is too fast, but I have a few more regattas to keep fighting.

Bronze – Mindaugas Griskonis – LTU

It was a good race. The weather was amazing, I like the conditions and the water here. Belgrade is beautiful city.