Record times set in the first finals of the 2022 World Rowing Cup III in Lucerne

The first medalists of the 2022 World Rowing Cup III were crowned on Lucerne’s Rotsee today as the finals were held for the non-Olympic boat classes. After exciting B finals in both the lightweight women’s and men’s single sculls, the crowds along the course were assembled ready for the medal races.

In the lightweight women’s single sculls, Imogen Grant had already established a comfortable lead by the 500m timing point. As the race progressed, Mexico’s Kenia Lechuga started to put the pressure on and close up the lead which Grant had established, but the British sculler was able to respond and maintain control of the race. With Lechuga taking silver, the bronze medal was decided by just 0.32 seconds with South Africa’s Kirsten McCann crossing line ahead of Italy’s Silvia Crosio. It was announced after the race that Grant had set a new World Best Time for the boat class.

Imogen Grant, Great Britain, Gold:

“I’m so happy. Lucerne is such a gorgeous location and such an amazing place to race. I was really excited to be back for my first international race [of this season]. I was really hoping that if I put together a good plan with some favourable conditions then that would be the outcome, so I’m really pleased that I managed to pull it off!”

Hot on the heels of the lightweight women, the lightweight men’s single sculls was underway and was equally as competitive. It was almost impossible to separate the scullers and as the race approached the closing stages, it got even closer. Paul O’Donovan, the only representative from Ireland at the regatta, worked his way through the pack from fourth at 500m to take gold at the line. Belgium’s Tibo Vyvey took silver and Uruguay’s Bruno Cetraro Berriolo took bronze.

Paul O’Donovan, Ireland, Gold:

“A very, very, very tough race. The hardest of races. I’ll have to go home with my coach and think about it deeply and analyse where we can get better going forwards and work on that in training and all that nonsense. But it was really good fun! Lucerne is great. The hardest of regatta courses, you don’t know what it’s going to throw at you and I was fortunate I could handle everything and do some strong pushes at the end.”

The last race of the day was the final of the lightweight men’s quadruple sculls where Germany led from the start and crossed the line a length and a quarter ahead of Netherlands.

Joachim Agne, Germany, Gold:

“We had a quite nice race. We achieved what we wanted to do and so we are happy with the success in this race.”

Racing resumes Sunday, 10 July 2022 at 8:50 CET.