Reactions after the first day of racing at the 2023 World Rowing U19 Championships

As racing got started at this year’s World Rowing U19 Championships in Paris, France, the junior rowers were excited to test out the course that will be used for next year’s Olympic and Paralympic rowing events. With the heats now complete, we heard some initial thoughts on racing on the Vaires-sur-Marne course.

Although significantly better than yesterday (when racing was cancelled), conditions were still challenging today with wind and rain. Switzerland finished fourth in the heat of the women’s four, but Barbara McMahon acknowledged that the conditions affected everyone;

“Of course, we were affected by the weather, but it’s the same for all the other crews. All the boats face difficulties. Honestly, we handled it quite well.”

Meanwhile, for the Greek men’s pair, it was a win in their heat and their preparation in testing conditions had paid off. Speaking after their race,  Dimitrios Koutras said;

““It was a good race but the conditions weren’t that good. There were lots of waves once we passed the 1000 metre mark. But in Greece, we’re used to rowing in these conditions, in order to be ready for those types of races.”

For Lea Herscovici, in the French women’s pair, it was all about staying focused;

“The wind was calmer than it was on the previous days. On the first 1000 meters, we didn’t feel it that much but once you’re focused on the race, it doesn’t matter anyways.”

Herscovici and partner, Leontine Fouquet won gold in the women’s pair at the European Rowing U19 Championships earlier this season, but Herscovici highlighted that the standard here on the world stage was much higher;

“We’re happy to have won the race but we realised the level of the other rowers is higher than itwas during the European Championships. We’ll have to progress after each race, we need to get a head start and lead for the first 500, 1000 metres.”

Cox of South Africa’s men’s four, Ntsika Mqolomba spoke of his excitement of coxing on the future Olympic course;

“I am really proud to race here before the Olympic Games. It’s the first time I represent South Africa
in a world event, it means a lot for me. We have good experience with my teammates, we trained hard for four months. Coming into (the) World Championships was our main goal.”

Max Peel of Great Britain men’s four shared the excitement, and spoke passionately after they had comfortably won their heat;

“It just feels as an incredible privilege, it’s special to be rowing on the same place as my heroes. Everybody, the world will be here next year, this is exciting. I think it will be a really interesting course because you have a bit of crosswind, so we have to work hard against the conditions and weather.”

Copy thanks to the student reporters for the OIS Sports Reporting Programme