Men’s Double Sculls (M2x) - Finals

In yesterday’s semifinals Belarus proved to be the fastest crew with Dzianis Mihal and Pilip Pavukou edging out Switzerland. They met again today to go for the European Championship title. At the start it was Italy that decided to grab the bull by the horns and set the pace. Filippo Mondelli and Luca Rambaldi of Italy are both young and in their first season at the senior level. They continued to lead through to the middle of the race and not only lead, they were able to widen their leading gap. Poland slotted into second with this race beginning to look like a procession.

Switzerland’s Barnabe Delarze and Roman Roeoesli now began to move. They finished second earlier this month at World Rowing Cup I and with 300m to go Switzerland was in third and moving on Poland in second. Italy crossed the line with a clear water lead, Poland got the silver and Switzerland took bronze.

Results: ITA, POL, SUI, GER, BUL, BLR

Luca Rambaldi (s), Italy, gold

“It was a very hard race. It is our first race together. The water is very windy. Maybe we got a bit of help by having the best lane. We started first and we maintained the gap.”

Mateusz Biskup (s), Poland, silver
“Really tough race as we have only been in this combination for two weeks. Conditions have changed, the wind is coming from the other side and it is difficult to race against. We did well and we’re pleased.”

Barnabe Delarze (b), Switzerland, bronze
“It was a complicated race with quite a cross wind. It was especially difficult to finish with this wind. Overall the weekend was a good learning experience. The next competition for us will be Lucerne in front of our crowd.”

 B-final

Just over half a second kept Lithuania out of the A-final when they finished fourth in yesterday’s semifinal. This is after a win at World Rowing Cup I earlier this month and it must be a surprise for the rowers, Griskonis and Ritter. Lithuania led over France who held on to the Lithuanian pace. Estonia did not start the race after illness in their nation’s quad meant that one of their double scullers had to move up to the quad. Griskonis and Ritter finished easily in the lead with open water at the line.

Results: LTU, FRA, ROU, HUN, GBR