Impressive day for New Zealand at World Rowing Championships
Another strong performance at day five of the World Rowing Championships with the Men’s Quad beating World Champions Lithuania in their semi-final, and marking the first occasion New Zealand has made the A final in the event since 1974.
Men’s Pair (M2-) – Quarter final
After wind conditions suspended racing yesterday, the Men’s Pair quarter final was moved to the fifth day of racing. First to the 1000 mark, New Zealand’s Thomas Murray and Michael Brake were battling only one other crew in a heat of six – Canada. Canada broke away and took the lead from 1500, crossing the line four seconds ahead of Murray and Brake. Czech Republic took third, with all three moving to A/B semi-final.
Men’s Single Sculls (M1X) – Quarter final
Also rescheduled due to yesterday’s wind conditions, 24 crews lined in the in Men’s Single Sculls quarter final this morning local time with New Zealand’s Robbie Manson up against Sweden, Switzerland, Lithuania, Belgium and Australia in quarter final 1. Crews needed to place in the top three to progress to the A/B semi-final. Switzerland and Lithuania were the first to 500 mark, but it was Manson in the lead from 1000 and taking first place.
Women’s Pair (W2-) – Semi-final
World Champions and World Best Time holders Grace Prendergast and Kerri Gowler needed to place in the top three to secure a spot in the A final. Canada were first out at the start and maintained a consistent lead, finishing two seconds ahead of New Zealand in second place.
Lightweight Women’s Double Sculls (LW2X) – Semi-final
New Zealand’s Zoe McBride and Jackie Kiddle finished their heat less than three seconds outside of a World Best Time and with the fastest overall qualifying time. In today’s semi-final, McBride and Kiddle needed to place in the top three to progress straight to the finals. Italy was first to the 500 but New Zealand steadily crept back from a slow start, and by 1500 it was a battle for placings rather than qualifying between themselves, the Netherlands and Great Britain. The Netherlands took first place with less than a second between second place New Zealand. Great Britain took third and also moves forward to the A final.
Lightweight Men’s Double Sculls (LM2X) – Semi-final
New Zealand’s Ben van Dalen and Matthew Dunham placed second in their quarter final yesterday and needed to place in the top three of today’s semi-final to progress to the A final. A steady comeback from being the fifth crew to cross the 500 mark, van Dalen and Dunham steadily narrowed the gap between themselves and Norway who held the lead from the start. The duo made an impressive sprint in the last 500 and successfully kept nearby Spain at bay, with Norway crossing the line ahead of New Zealand in second, and Spain taking third. All three progress to the A final.
Women’s Four (W4-) – Semi-final
The New Zealand Women’s Four of Ellie Jeurissen, Georgia Perry, Phoebe Spoors and Ruby Tew missed out on a qualifying spot in their semi-final and move to the event’s B final on Saturday.
Men’s Quad (M4X) – Repechage
The New Zealand Men’s Quad of Nathan Flannery, Mahe Drysdale, Cameron Crampton and Lewis Hollows moved to today’s repechage after missing out on the only qualifying spot in their heat on Monday. With the US, Australia, France and reigning World Champions Lithuania in their repechage, the crew needed to place in the top two to move on to the A final. New Zealand were off to a quick start and shot out ahead of Lithuania by the 500 mark, steadily closing the gap between Australia in the lead. By 1000 Australia and New Zealand were neck and neck, with New Zealand narrowly ahead with 500 to go. Australia made one final push placing first, with New Zealand less than a second behind. This marks the first time a New Zealand Men’s Quad will compete in an A final since 1974, and sees World Champions Lithuania placing third and moving to the B final.
Men’s Four (M4-) C/D Semi-final
The New Zealand crew of Thomas Russel, Tom Mackintosh, Matt MacDonald and Angus McFarlane moved to the C/D semi-final after their repechage on Tuesday. The crew needed to make the top three in today’s semi-final to qualify for the C final, crossing the line third behind first place Austria and second place France.
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