Men’s Single Sculls (M1x) – Final

It is a very new look to the single sculls this year with New Zealand’s Robert Manson having the best season so far and Switzerland’s Nico Stahlberg winning World Rowing Cup I. The most experienced was three-time Olympic medallist in the single, Ondrej Synek of the Czech Republic and Angel Fournier Rodriguez of Cuba who has been a regular in the a-final since the 2013 World Championships. First to show was Stahlberg who must know this regatta course very well. Rating 34 into the first 500m mark, Stahlberg had the best speed with Sverri Nielsen of Denmark One right with him in second. Meanwhile the World Best Time holder, Manson was towards the back of the field. Manson then started to squeeze and he made it look easy has he overtook the entire field in the space of about ten strokes. Fournier followed Manson’s lead as these two boats got to the half way point in first and second.

Manson was making it look easy as he moved away from the field in a similar fashion as in last month’s World Rowing Cup. Only Fournier was anywhere near Manson and that was still an open water gap. The race was now a procession as Manson went to 39 strokes per minute in the final sprint. Then Belarus’s Stanislau Shcharbachenia went to 38 and came storming through to the finish with Fournier holding a strong 34. Manson had win in a time of 6:49. Fourner won his second silver of the season. Shcharbachenia denied Stahlberg of a medal.

Results: NZL, CUB, BLR, SUI, DEN1, CZE

B-final

With Olympic silver medallist, Damir Martin of Croatia out for medical reasons, this race was down to five scullers. Russia’s Vladislav Ryabcev led the way, Ryabcev was the fastest qualifier for this race from yesterday’s semifinals and he still had the lead through the middle of the race. Only Lithuania’s Mindaugas Griskonis looked close enough to challenge. But the Russian was on fire and held first to the line.

Results: RUS, LTU1, ISR, SWE, FIN1

Robert Manson, New Zealand, gold
“Race went well. I didn’t feel great during the first 500m, it felt quite hard work. But then I got into the rhythm well. I think all the other countries are going to get a lot faster toward Sarasota, so I’ve got to go back and work hard.”

Angel Fournier Rodriguez, Cuba, silver
“It was very good. I saved energy during the competition for the final. The strategy worked well. I wanted to be more in front, but actually I am happy with my performance today. My daughter Natalia is two months old so everything takes a new meaning.”

Stanislau Shcharbachenia, Belarus, bronze
“When I see the finish, I go. I pushed like crazy the last 500m. I was 5^th in Rio, so to win a medal here is really good, I am happy.”