Women's Pair (W2-) - Final

This final turned out to be the picture of national boat selection with five Chinese boats racing. Just one outside boat, the Netherlands, joined  the race. The Netherlands pair of Olivia van Rooijen and Elisabeth Hogerwerf had proved to be the crew to beat by recording the fastest time in yesterday’s semifinals. Van Rooijen and Hogerwerf, however, were beaten by a Chinese crew in the Bled International Regatta two days ago. At the start China1 had the edge featuring Min Zhang and Tian Miao. Zhang and Miao won the Bled International Regatta and were working hard to prove that they were the number one Chinese crew.

Van Rooijen and Hogerwerf, who switched from sculling in 2014 to sweep rowing this year, followed closely behind Zhang and Miao. In the final sprint the Dutch gave it their all and at the line the race was called in their favour. Van Rooijen and Hogerwerf had won World Rowing Cup I by just 0.27 of a second. The Chinese crews had finished in the order expected by the selectors, with Zhang and Miao remaining the fastest Chinese crew.

Results: NED, CHN1, CHN2, CHN3, CHN4, CHN5

Gold – Olivia van Rooijen – Netherlands 

I wasn’t sure we made and then my partner said so. I am really glad we began the season like that it’s the first international event we’ve won.

B-final

The fast time of Belarus1 in yesterday’s semifinal put them into the centre lane for this race. But they were not the first to show out of the start. The earlier leader instead was Poland. Belarus’ Alena Kryvasheuenka and Ina Nikalina then began to move up in this very tight race that had all boats go through the middle of the race in a spread of just three seconds. The Czech Republic (Martina Stillerova and Katerina Kopecka) then took over the lead. They were 12th last year at the World Rowing Championships and have a good rowing background. The Czechs held their place until the end finishing ahead of Spain with Belarus managing third.

Results: CZE, ESP, BLR, CHN, POL, CHI