Women’s Single Sculls (W1x) – Final

All eyes today were on home favourite Jeannine Gmelin of Switzerland. Olympian Gmelin had recorded the fastest qualifying time in yesterday’s semifinals with World Rowing Cup II winner, Magdalena Lobnig of Austria having the second fastest time. But it was German Olympic Champion from the quad, Annekatrin Thiele that had a very fast start. Then Gmelin put on the pressure and rating 35 she got her boat out in front. Gmelin still had the lead at the half way point with Lobnig slotting into second ahead of Thiele. Lobnig had set a new World Cup Best Time last month at World Rowing Cup II and she was having a great season so far.

Then Gmelin started to break away from the field as she heard the support from the crowd. Gmelin was still rating in the mid-30s. She meant business. With just 500m left to row Lobnig would have to do something very special to catch Gmelin. Now Canada’s Carling Zeeman really started to move. Lobnig’s medal was under threat. Olympian Zeeman kept on coming. At 36 she was closing the gap on Gmelin. Gmelin went to 37 the crowd boosting her on. Zeeman had nothing more to give. Gmelin took gold, Zeeman silver and Lobnig bronze.

Results: SUI, CAN, AUT1, USA1, GBR, GER

Jeannine Gmelin, Switzerland, gold
“I really focused on my race. I am so happy that I won here in my country. Now I have a small break and then back to hard training towards the worlds.”

Carling Zeeman, Canada, silver
“Pretty tough race today. Everyone in it had a shot at the podium. I knew no one would give up, it would be how much grit you have. I heard some fans in the red buoys and just told myself 13 strokes to go.”

Magdalena Lobnig, Austria, bronze
“It was hard. It has always been a goal for me to win the overall world cup, so I am really happy about this yellow jersey and I’m also happy about the medal today.”

B-final

Medallist from the 2012 Olympics, Fie Udby Erichsen of Denmark One was the first to show followed closely by 1996 and 2000 Olympic Champion Ekaterina Karsten of Belarus. Sanita Puspure of Ireland One was also very much on the pace in this stacked b-final. Erichsen continued to lead through the middle of the race, but then Diana Dymchenko of Ukraine did a huge third 500 metre push and overtook three boats to take the lead. She held it to the end with a virtual line forming behind her. At the line just one second separated second, third, fourth and fifth.

Results: UKR, NZL, IRL1, DEN1, BLR, IRL2