Women's Single Sculls (W1x) - Final

Olympic bronze medallist, Kim Crow of Australia, opened her 2015 season last month at the World Rowing Cup in Varese. She blew the field away winning by a huge eight second lead. Crow has been the most successful, consistent rower on the Australian team for the last three years and as an Ambassador for the Kafue River and Rowing Centre, she readily gives back to the sport. Crow shot out at the start in dominating form and in a class of her own and proceeded to move further and further away from the rest of the field. What a sensational display of dominance!

Going through the middle of the race Genevra Stone of the United States moved up from a bad start and into second with Tatsiana Kukhta of Belarus moving with her in second. Then Olympic Champion, Mirka Knapkova of the Czech Republic picked up the pace and moved through Belarus and the United States. Knapkova has had very mixed results since 2012, but last week she won the Henley Royal Regatta which looked to set her up well for today.

In the final sprint Crow maintained a steady 35 stroke rate with Knapkova at 33. Both of these scullers looked in control and comfortable. A rather rough looking Stone held on doggedly to third. Crow’s finishing time of 7:21.58 put her close to the World Cup Best Time of 7:14.

Results: AUS, CZE, USA, BLR, NZL, AUT

Kim Crow – AUS – gold

Technically I did a very good job and it was amazing to feel so good in such a beautiful place. Physically I still have six weeks to get fitter but I’m on the right track.

Mirka Knapkova – CZE – silver  

I felt good. It was a very nice race. Kim was so fast and I need to train more to catch her.

Genevra Stone – USA – bronze  

It’s a pure joy to be on the podium with Mirka and Kim. I gave myself a great present with this medal as it was my birthday yesterday.

B-Final

Olympic silver medallist, Fie Udby Erichsen of Denmark is building up for the Rio Olympics – step by step. Today she led the B-final ahead of London Olympian, Sanita Purspure of Ireland. The order did not change with Switzerland’s Jeannine Gmelin coming through in third.

Results: DEN, IRL, SUI, POL, ZIM, SRB