Lightweight Men's Single Sculls (LM1x) - Final

Slovenia’s Rajko Hrvat has the fastest qualifying time coming through from yesteday’s heats. It earned him a direct path to today’s finals, unlike some of his competitors who had to contest a repechage to get to this final. Hrvat is the 2015 silver medallist and is the highest ranked in this boat class. All crews got away quickly and there was no one with an advantage at the 750m mark. Croatia’s Luka Radonic, who rated 36 to 37 through a good part of the start of the race, was now in the lead and Hrvat moving with him. Then Hrvat did a big push at the 1250m mark and got his boat ahead of Radonic’s. Hrvat kept the pressure on until the end. Radonic had no answer. Both Hrvat and Radonic recorded times under the magic 7 minute mark. Norway’s Ask Jarl Tjoem came through in third.

Results: SLO, CRO, NOR1, SUI, NOR2, ALG

B-final

After an early lead by Marko Bolha of Slovenia, Juho-Pekka Petaejaeniemi of Finland had the better second half of the race and he crossed the line in first. Petaejaeniemi has been racing on and off internationally since 2008 and he is slowly building up some very solid experience.

Results: FIN, SLO, ITA

Rajko Hrvat – SLO – gold

“I was aiming for a medal and I am very pleased to have achieved that. The next important regatta is the national championships in Slovenia because that will decide who represents Slovenia in the heavyweight single at Final Olympic Qualification. I hope to do that as well. I really like racing in Varese, I’ve been here before in 2012 and I hope to come back.”

Luka Radonic – CRO – silver

“It is good to have a medal, I expected silver, but of course was racing for gold. But Rajko was faster.  For the rest of the season, my goal is to row the best I can and have the best possible results.”

Jarl Ask Tjoem – NOR  – bronze

“My start felt really relaxed and after that I tried to settle in. The conditions were really good out there. For me this is good preparation for my season in the lightweight single and I will be back at the Europeans.”