Junior Women’s Single Sculls (JW1x) – Finals

A–Final

The big field in this boat class meant that these scullers came into this final following heats, quarterfinals and semifinals. In the semis Maria Sol Ordas of Argentina proved to have the fastest time, faster than the reigning junior champion, Esther Briz Zamorano of Spain. Ordas also set the junior World Best Time earlier in the regatta. Briz Zamorano had the best start and led the way in the early stages.

Now Tabita Maftei of Romania started to move up. Maftei is the junior World Champion from last year’s quad and she was keeping her boat ahead of Ordas in third. Maftei was now in the lead with Briz Zamorano holding on. Maftei, rating 34, had made a break-away move as Ordas overtook Briz Zamorano. Maftei looked in control as she came into the final sprint with Ordas comfortably in second. The race was on for bronze and three boats had a shot. Maftei had the gold, silver to Ordas and bronze for Greta Martinelli of Italy. Ordas sat back in her boat and fell in. Luckily the race was over. Maftei finished just a second outside of the junior World Best Time.

Results: ROU, ARG, ITA, NZL, GER, ESP

Tabita Maftei, Romania, gold
“Very hard race. I can’t believe I’m junior world champion.”

Maria Sol Ordas, Argentina, silver
“I was expecting a hard race. But I wasn’t expecting ROU to react like she did. This regatta has been perfect, and followed to plan, except maybe a sprint in the end today.”

Greta Martinelli, Italy, bronze
“It was a good race, the first 500 meters I was behind but I started to stroke faster with more power. In the second 500 meters I managed to overtake the others. I’m so happy now!”

Re-watch the race here

B-final

Canada looked to be the boat to beat following yesterday’s semifinal. But it was Australia’s Taylor McCarthy-Smith who had the lead at the start. The Australian still had the lead, and now quite a handy one, going through the middle of the race with Canada following in second. McCarthy-Smith kept her speed up and moved further ahead in the final sprint. She was the only sculler to finish under 8 minutes.

Results: AUS, CAN, BEL, CHN, EST, MEX