Lightweight Men’s Double Sculls (LM2x) – Finals

A-Final

Denmark shot out at a 56 stroke rate to try and make an early dent on the field. They were the slowest crew from yesterday’s semifinals from this group and their ability to maintain this race must be questions. So it was not surprising to see Jonathan Rommelmann and Jason Osborne of Germany in the lead. This duo had the fastest time in the semifinals and Osborne is very much a known quantity being the reigning World Champion in the lightweight single. Italy followed in second with Belgium in third. The Belgian duo of Tim Brys and Niels van Zandweghe finished first at last month’s World Rowing Cup and they look to be improving over their 2018 results.

The Italian duo of Stefano Oppo and Pietro Ruta are one of the most established of these crews with silver from last year’s World Championships. Italy at 39 moved up on Germany with the Germans at 38. The sprint was on. Then Rommelmann and Osborne upped the rate and again moved away from Italy. Italy tried again going to 43 then 45. The Germans got to the line first.

Results: GER, ITA, BEL, ESP, IRL, DEN

Jason Osborne (s), Germany, Gold
“This was our first regatta together so it was unexpected what would happen but from the start we were sculling well. Today we knew that Italy would have a fast 1000 meters, so we had a great race plan and knew to hold back a bit. This win will give us a lot of confidence going ahead and hopefully improvements.”

Stefano Oppo (b), Italy, Silver
“That was a difficult race. We knew that Germany would be quick from the start so we knew we had to keep attacking them but they were too quick. We’re still happy with our race but not so much the result.”

Tim Brys (b), Belgium, Bronze
“We started well, and were with the field. We don’t have the best start, but we know Germany is fast and explosive off the start. They got out fast, so we pulled away with Italy and tried to go after the 1000m. We pushed, but the others pushed too, so we all just widened our gap on the rest of the field. We tried move towards Germany and Italy but couldn’t. Onto the next one!”

Click here for the full race video

B-final

An initial lead by Austria was taken over by Poland through the middle of the race. The Czechs were the fastest of these crews in yesterday’s semifinals, but they were at the back of the field as Poland’s Kowalski and Jankowski led the way. They held the lead over a fast finishing Slovakia.

Results: POL, SVK, POR, GBR, CZE, AUT