Men’s Single Sculls (M1x) – Final

Fournier was the first to show at the 250m mark with Synek then moving in front. Synek does not always lead so early in the race. Maybe he was trying a new strategy today. Then coming through the second 500, Drysdale did a piece that brought him from fourth into third. Synek continued to lead with Fournier successfully holding Synek’s pace. Then Drysdale, using a lower stroke rate drew level with Fournier and went after Synek. There was 500m of water left and usually Drysdale leaves it until a later point to really push. Had he gone too soon? Could he hold it?

Synek and Drysdale went stroke for stroke to the line as the crowd rose to their feet. Then Synek found another gear, took his stroke rate to 39 and held the lead. Synek had successfully retained his 2013 title and claimed his third World Championship title. Drysdale earned silver with Cuba earning bronze.

Results: CZE, NZL, CUB, LTU, GER, AZE

Gold – SYNEK, Ondrej (CZE)
It was head to head at 500m.  I really wanted to beat Mahe so I pushed the rate up above 40. It was really go or die.

Silver – DRYSDALE, Mahe (NZL)
I had a couple of glances to see where Ondrej was to try to get through him but he was just too good.

Bronze – FOURNIER RODRIGUEZ, Angel (CUB)
I am very happy, it was a hard race but I had confidence in myself.

B-final

There must have been a lot of pressure on Roel Braas of the Netherlands. He became the face of this regatta appearing on many of the posters around Amsterdam. Braas is a Dutch indoor rowing champion and has also won the Holland Beker regatta including setting a course record on these waters. But the stiff competition here saw him racing in the B-final. At the start Julien Bahain of Canada led the way. Bahain used to compete for France but moved to Canada last year and has become their single sculler. Braas followed in second and Stanislau Shcharbachenia of Belarus was also in the leading mix. With 650m left to row Shcharbachenia moved into first. Shcharbachenia has had a couple of A-final finishes this season in his first season in the single and his time of 6:42 at the finish was very impressive.

Results: BLR, BEL, NED, CAN, ITA, SUI