Lightweight men’s pair (LM2-) – Final

The heats raced on Monday showed that France and Great Britain were moving very quickly. Then France had a great semifinal to put themselves in the position of being favourites. Today, France’s Augustin Mouterde and Theophile Onfroy flew out of the start rating 48 strokes per minute. The British then did a big push at the 500m mark and took their stroke rate to 40 and got the the marker the first.

Now in front Joel Cassells and Sam Scrimegour of Great Britain pressed away with Italy taking up chase. Then France did a push that brought them into second as they gave it their all to close on the British. Meanwhile Italy found Germany’s Jonas Kilthau and Matthias Arnold come belting down the track. Germany, rating an amazing 46, was giving it their all to the line. As the British crossed in first, France in second, Germany overtook the Italians with 20m left to row. The medallists were decided.

Results: GBR, FRA, GER, ITA, USA, AUS

Sam Scrimgeour (s) – GBR – gold
“It has taken me three years in the pair to win the World Championships, it’s amazing.”

Augustin Mouterde (b) – FRA – silver
“We knew in the second part of the race was our strength. We thought we would catch up, but GB was too far in front. In a race you have to believe that you can win. 

Matthias Arnold (s) – GER – bronze
“We are a really new crew, we’ve been training together only since two weeks before Lucerne. Our goal here was to get into the final, we never thought we would get a medal, it’s great.”  

B-final

After the Czech Republic took an initial lead, Ireland’s Mark O’Donovan and Shane O’Driscoll got their nose in front. The Czech’s tried to hold on but it was Ireland all of the way to the finish with Sergio Perez Moreno and Jose Gomez-Feria of Spain having a flyer of a finish to bring them through ahead of the Czech’s and into second.

Results: IRL, ESP, CZE, RUS, CHN, AUT