2018 World Rowing U23 Championships - Day Two
Racing at the 2018 World Rowing Under 23 Championships in Poznan, Poland moved on to the second day of heats with a small ripple on the waters of Malta Lake.
Warm summer temperatures and a slight breeze made for near-perfect conditions. A large crowd of supporters that had come from around the world were vocal in encouraging their nation’s athletes and there was a level of intensity both on and off the water around the regatta course.
Women’s Double Sculls (BW2x) – Heats
The day of racing opened with four heats in the women’s double with the aim of being in a top two position for a direct path to the semi-finals. In Heat One Great Britain’s Charlotte Hodgkins-Byrne and Anna Thornton opened with a 43 stroke rate to take the lead over France. By the middle of the race the Brits looked to be dominating the race. These two athletes were in their nation’s quad last year and they looked long and powerful as they crossed the finish line to take the win and record the fastest qualifying time overall. New Zealand’s crew took third and progresses to the repechage.
Lightweight Women’s Single Sculls (BLW1x) – Heats
A full field of 18 countries began in this boat class which dropped to 17 as France did not weigh in at the correct weight. These scullers were divided into three boat classes and the aim was to be in a top two position for a direct path to the semi-finals. New Zealand’s Courtney Rennie came out quickly in Heat Two, but her initial lead was soon swallowed up by Germany’s Vera Spanke. Spanke raced last year in the U23 lightweight quad and finished with a bronze medal. She had now moved to a full boat length lead over Rennie who meanwhile was keeping a wary eye on the Czech Republic. In the close of the race Spanke held a solid 29 with Rennie upping her rating as Kristyna Neuhortova of the Czech Republic was pushing hard to get into second. Rennie only just held off Neuhortova and crossed the line third, officially taking second place and progressing straight to the A-final due to France not weighing in at the correct weight.
Women’s Single Sculls (BW1x) – Heats
The women’s single had four heats with the aim to be in a top two position from each of the heat. Heat Three saw the fastest opening 500m of the single scullers going to Samantha Voss of New Zealand. But Thea Helseth of Norway and Emily Kallfelz of the United States was also fast at the start. This was looking to be turning into a three-way fight for two spots. Kallfelz then overtook Helseth and moved up on Voss. It looked like Kallfelz had really found her rhythm in the second half of the race and coming into the final sprint Kallfelz had the lead. Kallfelz was on 32 and Voss was on 31 and the two boats had broken free of the rest of the field. They were the qualifiers and had recorded the top two fastest times of this boat class.
Women’s Four (BW4-) – Heats
Two heats made up this boat class with the goal to be first. Coming first would give a direct path to the final on Sunday. In Heat One Romania and New Zealand went out quickly with Great Britain chasing hard. These three crews moved away from the rest of the pack with Romania holding on to a slight lead. Ratings remained high through the body of the race as Romania tried to hold on to the lead. Three boats sprinted to the line. New Zealand was at 35 with Romania just a pip higher. The Romanians had done it, and New Zealand progress to the repechage.
Women’s Pair (BW2-) – Repechage
New Zealand’s women’s pair of Ruby Willis and Laura Glen took third in their repechage and progress to the semi-final.
Lightweight Men’s Double Sculls (BLM2x) – Heats
This boat class had four heats with the goal here to be in the top spot. This would give them a direct path to the semifinals. A false start in Heat Two got away smoothly the second time. In the opening strokes Germany had the best speed and they got to the first 500m mark ahead of Spain. Germany and Spain then moved away from the rest of the field as they battled each other for the lead. Julian and Jonathan Schreiber of Germany kept a slight edge. They kept an aggressive stroke and came into the final sprint rating 37 with Spain flying down the side at 39-40. Spain stopped just short of the line and Germany took the win and recorded the fastest qualifying time overall. New Zealand’s crew of Isaac Everitt and Chris Stockley placed third and progress to the repechage.
Men’s Quadruple Sculls (BM4x) – Heats
This boat class had three heats and the aim was to be in a top two position for a direct path to the semifinals. The long tradition of top quads look to be continuing with Germany out in front of Heat Three. Right beside Germany was Moldova. New Zealand, the reigning under-23 champions were in third. The Kiwis have Jack O’Leary returning from the 2017 winning boat. Then New Zealand pushed ahead of Moldovia with Germany continuing in the lead. Three boats were now pushing for two spots. Germany looked great. New Zealand and Moldova were tight together. Moldova missed out with New Zealand progressing to the semi-final.
Men's Coxed Four (BM4+) - Repechage
New Zealand’s men’s four took a comfortable win in their repechage ahead of Australia and progress to the A-final.