European Olympic & Paralympic Qualification finals set

The boats still in the running for European Olympic & Paralympic Qualification slots are now set after the semifinals and repechages in the Qualification Regatta in Szeged on Friday.

Pimenov and Vasilev win semifinals

Serbia’s Nikolaj Pimenov led out semifinal 1 and by halfway had established a 1.5 second lead over Belgian Tim Brys, with Mikola Kalashnyk of Ukraine in third. At the finish, the positions were unchanged, despite a sprint finish from fourth-placed Andre Pinto of Portugal, and Pimenov, Brys and Kalashnyk will race for a ticket to Paris. They were joined by Bulgaria’s Kristian Vasilev, Slovenian Isak Zvegelj and Hungary’s Bendeguz Petervari-Molnar after a great second semifinal, which saw Piotr Plominski of Poland leading out before Zvegelj came through, with Vasilev proving stronger in the second half.

Final places for Slovenia and Türkiye

Nina Kostanjsek was 24th at the 2023 World Rowing Championships in the women’s single sculls, but she showed how much she wants to try for a place in Paris in the repechage in Szeged. The Slovenian tracked Turkish sculler Elis Ozbay off the start, and moved into the lead in the second 500m. Behind her, the 22-year-old Ozbay – the 2023 World Rowing Under-23 champion in the lightweight women’s single sculls – held on well for second place and a spot in the final.

Hosts miss out

With five boats racing in the repechage of the lightweight men’s double sculls, the race remained competitive. Türkiye led to 1000m with Portugal and Belgium close behind and Austria not out of contention, but the Turks faded badly in the third 500m allowing Portugal to move into the lead. Belgium’s last 500m was by far the fastest of the field, and they crossed the line first, followed by Portugal, Türkiye and Austria. Hungary were knocked out of contention.

Ghiringhelli and Garcia in control

There were preliminary races for both the PR1 women’s and men’s single sculls, and Switzerland’s Claire Ghiringhelli and Spain’s Javier Garcia set out their stalls to take the sole qualifying spots with comfortable victories. The scullers race for their tickets to Paris on Saturday.

Racing continues on Saturday and Sunday, with the final of the PR1 women’s and men’s single sculls on Saturday and finals in Olympic boat classes on Sunday.