Quads take big step towards qualification
On Sunday five New Zealand crews began the final push in pursuit of Olympic qualification at the Final Olympic Qualification Regatta in Lucerne, Switzerland. In stunning flat, clam conditions the New Zealand men’s and women’s quads both won their heats and qualified for finals. Emma Twigg won her heat comfortably to progress to Tuesday’s semi finals while the men’s lightweight double placed third and will also progress to the semi finals. The New Zealand men’s four will contest a repechage on Monday.
The New Zealand women’s quad raced a beautifully timed race placing third place at the first 500 metre mark, working their way into second by the halfway mark and went on to win comfortably ahead of Great Britain and Romania. Brook Donoghue, Lucy Spoors, Georgia Perry and Sarah Gray booked their spot in Tuesday’s final and will need a top two finish to qualify for the Rio Olympic Games.
John Storey, George Bridgewater, Nathan Flannery and Jade Uru were slow off the start in the men’s quad but gradually worked themselves into contention, driving hard to the finish line where they finished 0.14 seconds ahead of the United States crew and in first place. The New Zealand men’s quad have also booked their place in the final and will look for a top two finish in the final on Tuesday to ensure they qualify for Rio.
Emma Twigg was the first of the New Zealand crews to take to the water on day one of the Final Olympic Qualification Regatta. On her first international outing since claiming her World Champinship title in 2014 Twigg claimed a handy lead early on in the third heat and simply extended it to win in a time of 7:31.10 nearly 9 seconds ahead of the sculler from Great Britain. Twigg will take confidence after claiming the fatest time of the three heats as she progresses to the semi finals on Monday and was happy to get her first race out of the way “It was great to be back on the Rotsee. The first race is always a challenge at any regatta. I am looking forward to making some improvement over the next couple of days. You are always learning when racing at this level.”
Ireland’s Sanita Puspure and Ekaterina Karsten of Belarus claimed first and second in heat one while heat two was won convincingly by the 2012 Olympic silver medallist, Fie Udby Erichsen of Denmark. Twigg received welcome news just hours before the regatta commenced when FISA announced that there will be four qualifying places now available in the women’s single scull.
The lightweight men’s double of Adam Ling and Toby Cunliffe-Steele featured in heat two holding onto second place behind Belgium and right on pace throughout the race until Portugal came flying through to claim second place. First place went to Belgium in 6:24.38, followed by Portugal in 6:25.77 and New Zealand in 6:26.05 all of whom progress to the semi finals. Heat one was won by Denmark in 6:24.47 while Spain took the line honours in heat three to win in 6:25.79.
There were four boats in heat one of the men’s four with New Zealand needing to finish in the top position in order to progress straight to the final. The kiwi four went from fourth to third but were outpaced by France who claimed their place in the final while Spain finished in second place. The New Zealand four will contest the repechage on Monday.
All Olympic Qualification Regatta information, including the full entry lists can be found here, this page will include race reports, LIVE results and photos during the event.
New Zealand Rowing Team to attend Olympic Qualification Regatta
Lucerne, Switzerland
Women’s Single Scull
Emma Twigg
Gary Hay – Coach
Women’s Quad
Brooke Donoghue
Georgia Perry
Lucy Spoors
Sarah Gray
James Coote – Coach
Lightweight Men’s Double Scull
Toby Cunliffe-Steel
Adam Ling
Calvin Ferguson – Coach
Men’s Quad
Jade Uru
Nathan Flannery
George Bridgewater
John Storey
Mike Rodger – Coach
Men’s Coxless Four
Drikus Conradie
Axel Dickinson
Patrick McInnes
Anthony Allen
Gary Roberts – Coach