Lightweight Men’s Double Sculls (LM2x) – Final

A–Final

The Olympic medallists, Norway had to change their crew after Kristoffer Brun couldn’t compete. Substitute Jens Holm came into the boat and they came out at the start just behind the Italian crew of Stefano Oppo and Pietro Ruta. The Italians took bronze at the European Championships and they have a world of experience in their boat. Now the Olympic silver medallists, the O’Donovan brothers of Ireland had moved into second. This meant that Italy would really have to move as Ireland are known for having a strong finish. Ireland was underrating Italy by four pips and still gaining with every stroke.

Oppo and Ruta tried to match the O’Donovan brothers, but they had now found themselves in the silver medal spot. The O’Donovan brothers continued to move with Italy now seeing Belgium coming. The O’Donovan brothers had taken their first ever World Championship title in the double and they had done it in a time just a second outside of the World Best Time. Italy had to settle for silver with an outstanding effort by Tim Brys and Niels van Zandeweghe of Belgium giving them the bronze.

Results: IRL, ITA, BEL, NZL, NOR, ESP

Gary O’Donovan (b), Ireland, gold
“Today we took our best strokes ever out on the race. Italy were ahead for a little bit but we didn’t panic. We managed to make our move. It’s a really exciting time and there’s great belief within the team and we’re starting to see some results now.”

Pietro Ruta (s), Italy, silver
“Most important to us was to equal our placing last year, which was a silver medal but we know every year it gets more difficult as this is the only Olympic boat class for the lightweight.”

Niels Van Zandweghe (s), Belgium, bronze
“No idea how we raced but I remember that at the 1000 meters we were all still in one line, that’s when Tim gave a push. In this race everything came out that hadn’t come out in our training.”

Re-watch the race here

B-final

Japan shot out to the lead but they were soon overhauled by a flying Czech Republic. The Czechs went to 39 through the second 500 and took the lead. There was no stopping Jiri Simanek and Miroslav Vrastil of the Czech Republic now. They kept their stroke rating high and moved completely away from the field. Poland made a last minute push, but no one was catching the Czechs.

Results: CZE, POL, GBR, UKR, AUT, JPN