Men’s Single Sculls (M1x) – Final

Yesterday’s semifinals saw Robert Manson of New Zealand romp away with the fastest qualifying time, beating the Olympic silver medallist, Damir Martin of Croatia. Fastest out at the start was Tim Ole Naske of Germany who is the current under-23 champion. Naske won his under-23 title by rocketing out at the start and keeping his stroke rate high throughout the race. But Switzerland’s Nico Stahlberg was sticking with him. Stahlberg won the first World Rowing Cup last month and he was the first to react the 500m mark.

Then Manson, who raced in Rio in the men’s double, pulled into the lead. He took his stroke rate to 38 and pulled away from the field. Now Olympic finalist Angel Fournier Rodriguez of Cuba, rating 34, began to move through from the back of the field. Manson continued to look strong despite his high rating as Fournier overhauled Stahlburg to take second. Manson now had a clear water lead and did not show any indication of slowing down. Now at 41 strokes per minute in the final sprint, Manson had secured gold in his first season in the single. Manson had set a new World Best Time by a staggering two and a half seconds. This was also a new World Cup Best Time with the new standard being 6:30.74. His fellow countryman, Mahe Drysdale was the former owner of the World Best Time and Drysdale must be wondering about his chances of a comeback for Tokyo in the men’s single.

Results: NZL, CUB, SUI, GER, GBR1, CRO1

Robert Manson, New Zealand, gold
“I knew I was very capable of doing well today. To get that result was really great. I am really pleased with my time. I was looking at my splits during the race and thought I was on for a Best Time, so I pushed to the line. I was a little bit surprised to see Damir and the others drop back, but I just raced my own race.”

Angel Fournier Rodriguez, Cuba, silver
“It’s a very good competition. It was a very strong race. I like the weather conditions better today. It was the first time I competed against Robbie Manson. I am very happy with my training and how my race went today.”

Nico Stahlberg, Switzerland, bronze
“I had a very good start, I started in front of the others. I tried to keep up during the race. After Racice my goal was to keep a very good pace during the race. I managed to do that and I’m happy about the result.”

B-final

From yesterday’s semifinals Stanislau Shcharbachenia of Belarus had the fastest time. Shcharbachenia was third at the European Championships but maybe hasn’t shown the same form here in Poznan. Serbia’s Marko Marjanovic had the edge at the start and he was still in the front at the half way point. Keeping a faster boat speed Marjanovic managed to hold off Argentina and Shcharbachenia. In the final sprint Shcharbachenia started to really move in the last 250m and chase down Marjanovic who had been rating in the high 30s. There was nothing in it at the line. Shcharbachenia had won on the surge.

Results: BLR, SRB, ARG1, FIN1, GBR2, CHI