Lightweight Women’s Single Sculls (BLW1x) – Final

This was shaping up to be a race between Italy and the Netherlands following racing earlier this week. Italy’s Clara Guerra is the reigning junior World Champion while Marieke Keijser of the Netherlands is the reigning under-23 World Champion. At the start Keijser was the first to show with France’s Claire Bove keeping up with Keijser’s pace. Keijser is also a former junior World Champion. Guerra used the second 500 to up the pace and she overtook Bove to move into second.

Keijser remained in the lead as Guerra tried to close the leading gap. But Keijser looked too strong. Rating 33, Keijser was now dominating. Keijser used the senior World Rowing Cup earlier this month to warm up for Plovdiv and she finished second there. Now Nicole Van Wyk of South Africa began to move. Van Wyk was second in this boat class last year and she was trying to get into the medals.  Then Germany’s Sophia Krause came storming down the outside rating 39. Bove was fading and Krause was within striking distance of Van Wyk. Keijser had won.

Results: NED, ITA, RSA, GER, FRA, SWE

Marieke Keijser, Netherlands, gold
“I was so nervous the first 500m and then I decided I have to go. I wanted it so badly, I did everything that was needed. I am really happy with the race, it was so much better than Lucerne.”

Clara Guerra, Italy, silver
“That was a very hard race, but I am very happy. It is my first time at the under 23s and I am pleased to do the single scull as I love this event. I want to say thanks to all my family and friends.”

Nicole Van Wyk, South Africa, bronze
“After yesterday’s semi I was scared. But then I got into race pace and kept tapping it away. It was a really good race. 

B-final

The fastest boat from the semifinals yesterday was Courtney Rennie of New Zealand, but Austria’s Anja Manoutschehri must have been saving something for today as she got away at a cracking pace and by the middle of the race Manoutschehri had a handy lead over Rennie in second with Japan’s Miharu Takashima challenging Rennie. Manoutschehri finished seventh at World Rowing Cup II last month and last year she was in the under-23 a-final. Manoutschehri held the lead to the finish with Rennie just getting second.

Results: AUT, NZL, JPN, NOR, ESP, RUS