2016 World Rowing Cup II – May 27-29, Lucerne (Switzerland)
On the way to Rio’s Olympics, the World that rows stops in Lucerne that hosts the second round of 2016 Rowing World Cup. Rowers and scullers from 50 countries have joined to tune their teams and boats some couple of months before the Olympics.
There are 502 athletes registered this year in Lucern, for a total 214 boats entries. This is a first exit for several boats from GBR, USA who did not attend WRC I in Varese in April, and a first for the majority of New Zealand’s boats, after some of them raced in Lucerne a few days ago at Olympic’s qualification regatta.
May 29 – Finals B, Finals A
Finals B Slideshow
Finals A Slideshow
Medals Slideshow
Heavy rain for the final day of 2016 WRC II, but this gave the photographers the possibility to catch even more spectacular moments!
USA ruled womens’ pair, a race orphan of the super duo Heather Stanning and Helen Glover. USA1 of Felice Mueller (b), Grace Luczak (s) finishes first, with USA2 of Meghan Musnicki (b), Eleanor Logan (s) taking the bronze. Only Genevieve Behrent (b) and Rebecca Scown (s) of New Zealand was a real opponent and won the silver.
It was really a fantastic race the lightweight women’s double sculls. All the boats were on the same line around 1500 meters, when Sophie McKenzie (b) and Julia Edward (s) of NZL started to sprint to take the lead. South Africa of Kirsten McCann (b) and Ursula Grobler (s) responded well, but while the two boats fought for the lead, the Canadian boat of Lindsay Jennerich (b) and Patricia Obee (s), fifth at 1500 meters, did a fantastic rush, with last 200 meters at 44 strokes, and grab the Gold medal.
In lightweight men’s double sculls France continues to rule, even with a new crew. 2015 world’s champion Jeremie Azou (s) is now with Pierre Houi (b), after the other 2015 world’s campion Stany Delayer won the bronze in the lightweight men’s single yesterday. Silver to Norway with Kristoffer Brun (b) and Are Strandli (s), and bronze to James Thompson (b) and John Smith (s) of South Africa.
Great names at start list of men’s single sculls, in which only the 2016 European Champion Martin Damir from Croatia was not part of the race as he did not come to Lucerne. Mahe Drysdale from New Zealand was able in the last 500 meters to nab Ondrej Synek from Czech republic who had led the race until there. At the end New Zealand first, Czech republic second and Cuba third with Angel Fournier Rodriguez.
In women’s eight USA continue to lead, but Great Britain was very close, followed very close by New Zealand.
In men’s eight The Netherlands showed the progress they have in the last months and won the Gold, with Germany second and USA third. Surprisingly, Great Britain is neither on the podium!
May 28 – Semifinals, Repechage, Finals
FINALS A
See Slideshow.
In the afternoon three major finals have been raced, with big surprises in lightweight single sculls.
Forecast in women’s single sculls was for Zoe McBride (NZL) who dominated through 2015 and showed to row fast during the heats over these days. But the finish line was crossed first by Anja Noske from Germany, who won with clear water on the second, Holmegaard Runge, Aja from Denmark, while Zoe McBride finished third.
Another surprising results in lightweight men’s double sculls. Slovenian Rajko Hrvat, winner of Varese WRC I finishes fourth, with Croatian Luka Radonic winning, improving the second place he did in WRC I. Second place at only five hundredths of seconds away is Lukas Babac from Slovakia, while Staney Delayre from France is third.
Last final of day was the lightweight men’s pair. Great Britain of Joel Cassels and Sam Scrimgeour win confirmed to lead in this boat after winning Varese WRC I. Podium then changed from Varese, as Augustine Mouterde and Alexis Guerinot (FRA) finishes second and Lorenzo Tedesco and Piero Sfiligoi (ITA) third.
SEMIFINALS, REPECHAGES, FINALS E-C
See Slideshow.
The day started with a heavy raining that magically…stopped just around the start of the first semifinal. Finals E-C and semifinals/repechage in the morning to shape the program of the afternoon, heading to the afternoon with A finals of LW1x, LM1x, LM2-.
In lightweight men’s single sculls Rajko Hrvat (SLO), Lukas Babac (SVK), Ask Jari Tjoem (NOR) goes to final A. They will have good companion as Stany Delayre (FRA), currently World’s Champion of lightweight men’s double sculls in Aiguebelette 2015, joined them, together with Luka Radonic (CRO), Silvan Zenhnder (SUI).
Lightweight women’s single sculls semifinals have been won by Michelle Sechser (USA) and Zoe McBride (NZL). Sarah Pound (AUS), the Varese WRC I winner Katherine Sauks (CAN), Anja Noske (GER) and Aja Runge Holmegaard (DEN) complete the final.
May 27 – Heats
Heats at 2016 WRC II in Lucerne – slideshow.
May 26 – Training
Training in Lucerne at 2016 WRC II – slideshow.