U23 Lightweight Men's Single Sculls (BLM1x) - Final

France qualified for the A-Final with the fastest qualifying time in the semifinals and in the heats. Pierre Houin is this year’s senior European Champion in the lightweight single and also won gold at the World Rowing Cup in Lucerne.

Unsurprisingly, Houin took the lead from the get-go, with China’s Man Sun in second at 500m. At the half-way mark, three boats crossed the line as one: Croatia in third, the Netherlands in fourth and Japan in fifth. The battle was on for bronze.

With 500m left to race, France had a dominant lead over China and was rating 36 strokes per minute. But Italy was about to make an unexpected move. Francesco Pegoraro, who was in fifth at 1500m, made an enormous push in the last stretch to push through the field and cross the line ahead of China in silver and Croatia in bronze. Unable to withstand the final charge, China fell back into fifth.

Results: FRA, ITA, CRO, NED, CHN, JPN

Pierre Houin – FRA – gold  
“This gold medal crowns three years work with my coach Thibaud Chappelle. We lived together and he has given me so much advice, so I am really happy about that. It is my last year at under-23 as it is unlikely that I compete next year. I will go into the lightweight quad for Aiguebelette. The federation let me choose and I am a bit fed up with the single, I want to be in a crew boat with my friends.”

Francesco Pegoraro – ITA – silver
“I started too slowly and was a bit back. I told myself not to give up and to go faster and in the end I could pass nearly everyone. I was much faster than in 2014 in Varese when I got bronze.”

Luka Radonic – CRO – bronze
“This medal means everything to me as it is my first one. I have had many good races, but never got the chance to be on the podium. It is one of the best days of my life.”

B-Final

In the B-Final of the lightweight men’s single sculls it was Elias Dreismickenbecker of Germany leading the way from the get-go and staying unchallenged throughout, with clear water separating him from the rest of the field. Australia’s Jack Kelly pursued him all the way to the line, with Ales Jalen of Slovenia in close contact. In the final stretch, Jalen overtook Kelly to take the second spot and finish eighth overall.

Results: GER, SLO, AUS, RUS, SVK, MDA