Toughing it out in the women’s single sculls

The women’s single sculls is one of the most popular races to watch. The excitement and drama that comes out of seeing individuals putting their heart and soul into going 2000m as fast as possible is evident. Here’s a look back at the last four years in the women’s single in the hopes of predicting what might happen as we head into the 2021 season.

Recap of last four years: The last Olympic cycle (2012-2016) saw an early tussle between Emma Twigg from New Zealand and Kim Brennan (born Crow) from Australia. But as it progressed Brennan found her speed and strode out to Olympic victory. This cycle has followed a similar majestic trajectory with the rise of Sanita Puspure of Ireland.

Early in the cycle Switzerland’s Jeannine Gmelin had an incredible run. Then in 2018 Puspure broke through, solidified her confidence, and didn’t look back. She now has two World Championship titles under her belt and is charging toward the ultimate goal: Olympic gold. But there’s been a shake-up midway. Twigg has made a comeback and took the silver at the 2019 World Rowing Championships, proving that she’s still got it.

Other top names have included Magdalena Lobnig from Austria, Kara Kohler from the United States, and Victoria Thornley from Great Britain.

2017 World Championships: SUI, GBR, AUT, IRL, NED, CAN

2018 World Championships: IRL, SUI, AUT, USA, DEN, GER

2019 World Championships: IRL, NZL, USA, GBR, SUI, CAN

Closest medal race: The 2018 European Championships when Lobnig finished just 0.05 seconds ahead of Ukraine’s Diana Dymchenko. Lobnig took the silver medal behind Gmelin of Switzerland, with Dymchenko finishing bronze.

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Historical tidbit: Rumyana Neykova of Bulgaria holds the longest-standing World Best Time in rowing boat classes that are still competed for today. The top athletes in the women’s single sculls have only come within 3-4 seconds of that record. The time of 7:07.71 was set at the 2002 World Rowing Championships in Seville, Spain.

Quote of the quadrennial: “Today I just tried to do my own rhythm. With 500 meters to go, I just went for it just like in training. Mentally that was the hardest race of the regatta. It’s been a tough year but I’m really pleased.” – Sanita Puspure, Ireland, Gold at the 2019 World Rowing Championships

Olympic qualifiers: Nine crews qualified at the 2019 World Rowing Championships (Ireland, New Zealand, United States, Great Britain, Switzerland, Canada, China, Netherlands, Austria); five at the African Olympic Qualification Regatta (Namibia, Morocco, Uganda, Togo, Nigeria). The remaining spots will be determined at three continental qualification regattas and the Final Olympic Qualification Regatta.

The ramification of the ‘extra year’: The extra year may have less of an impact in the women’s single sculls than in other categories. First of all, the majority of athletes have been able to continue training in singles, meaning while bigger boats lost time training together, single scullers sailed straight through. Secondly, the single scullers are accustomed to training alone and might be less affected by socially distanced training. However, an additional year might be particularly demanding for those athletes who were thinking about retirement following the Olympic Games. An additional year can be both mentally and physically exhausting.

Olympic prediction: Puspure looked to be set for Olympic gold following her win at the 2019 World Rowing Championships. She had never been fitter and was looking to sail straight to the podium. But with the return of Twigg, Olympic glory becomes more of a toss-up. Twigg has already faced set-backs in her career and came back full steam ahead. If she’s able to make up a couple seconds on Puspure, she might just have it.

Don’t count out other top performers, though. Gmelin might find her top rhythm again, Kohler always surprises, Lobnig wins in the worst weather conditions and Thornley, though recovering from a cycling injury, is always a top-notch performer.