Commentary written live during the A-finals of the Junior World Championships 2005 in Brandenburg, Germany on Saturday 6th August, and then uploaded to the Rowing Service at the end of each session of racing. Races in order from the top down, ie last race at the bottom. Later on there will be another report on the Rowing Service about the atmosphere and stories of this Junior Worlds.
JM4+ - Junior men's coxed fours A final
The A finals are starting even as the last of the B finals, the men's eights, races down to the line. Nobody's listening to the commentator much, as Greece and Britain battle it out to be seventh in the eights with Belarus coming up quickly on the near side. Greece get it, then GBR and Belarus, and suddenly we're back to the start where the coxed fours have gone 500m up the course.
Germany has 2/3 of a length on the field, and are being coxed by Ben-jack Drese, who is a local Brandenburger boy. Italy are coming up quickly and get past Canada, Serbia & Montenegro and the USA as they reach 750m, right up into second after a slow start. Halfway down the course, it's Germany from Italy, Germany not particularly high-rating at 35, but now with a good 3/4 length lead. Canada and USA are absolutely tied for the bronze medal position at the moment as Germany and Italy move out into clear water and Serbia & Montenegro drop back a bit. 1250 gone, and as the shadow of the midway point kicks in next to their lane 6, Poland start a huge assault to get back on terms with the rest of the crews. 1500m gone, and it's still Germany from Italy, Canada have been passed by the USA now, and the Poles have made up a massive amount of ground to get back into 5th but only 2 seconds off the bronze. Italy aren't giving up yet, 300m to go and they're pushing the rate up again. Germany up to 39 as the crowds start chanting. Huge shouts, this is a fantastic atmosphere, and with 100m to go Germany are just 2 feet ahead. USA clinging onto third by their fingernails just as Poland push one more time, Germany pull out all the stops and get the win, Poland knock the rate up and they and the USA collapse across the line as a photofinish is double-checked. Superb racing: gold Germany, silver Italy, bronze Poland by 0.58 seconds from fourth USA, fifth Canada and sixth Serbia & Montenegro. A great way to start the A finals, and a popular win for the home crowd. The packed grandstands, with it seems representatives from all 53 nations, give a huge cheer as the medallists come to the rafts to collect their prizes.
JW2- - Junior women's coxless pairs A final
By the time we hear about this race they're at 500m, Romania leading and Italy and Germany and Ukraine scrapping behind them. The U23 event was won by Romania, as the senior W2- so often is too, and they clearly think they have their names on this. Bulgaria moving up into fourth place, pushing Ukraine down, as they move nearer the halfway mark where the light cross-tail wind should favour the outside lanes of Bulgaria and Ukraine for a short while. Romania are starting to move further out into a clear lead now, as the Italians push up towards Germany and begin their charge towards second place. Germany manage to hold their push off, but now we're past halfway and within sight of the finish. That Romanian lead is looking increasingly impressive now, really doesn't seem as if anyone can catch them, though they're rowing at 37 to Germany's 33. Germany half a length from Italy and the medallists now look very clear, the gap to 4th (Bulgaria) over 6 seconds. 400 to go, Germany have started their charge, can they catch Romania who have 2 lengths to spare? Italian supporters start chanting, Romania may be running out of steam, but now they only have 200m to go. Italy's nearly caught Germany, 100 to go the Germans are just hanging on. Germany ups the rate, start to move away, getting clear with every stroke. Gold Romania, silver Germany, bronze Italy, 4th a long way back Bulgaria, fifth USA and sixth after another long gap Ukraine.
The first medal presentation is about to begin and this year the medal-carrying babes are wearing ball dresses, very fairytale princess, and carrying green cushions with the medals on. The usual flowers, medals, and a bag of what looks like goodies, and the whole presentation takes ages. I wonder if they're going to manage to speed it up later: the men's pairs are about to start and they still haven't played the national anthem yet. The flagpoles here are way out to one side of the grandstand, so the competitors can't see them while the anthem plays: instead they have the photographers to look at, including Reiner Empacher running around grabbing his winners' shots for the next yellow-boat calendar.
JM2- - Junior men's coxless pairs A final
Canada shoot off very fast, and get their bows in front as the rest of the field chases to catch up and settle into their rhythm. Romania possibly out to make it a double, as the men start to push up into second place, shoving out Italy and Germany. Canada have barely settled at all, the commentators on the launch alongside calling them at 38 as they hare off trying to get a safe gap between themselves and the runners-up. Nearly at halfway, and it's still Canada in front, but only just. Here comes the Romanian push, and from the helpful lane 6 they barge in front, matching the Canadian rate at 38. Stroke Andrei Timpau won last year at the juniors, and knows how much it takes to get gold. Germany start to push too, and the Canadian fast-start is clearly beginning to drag on them. 1200 gone, Romania from Italy Canada from Germany, and Romania have plenty of clear water, while the Canadians, though still clear of Germany, are beginning to fade. Serbia & Montenegro, who were stern pair of their U23 M4- a fortnight ago, are fifth but within reach of the bronze still, as are Germany. Italy are closing down Romania, have taken back the overlap, Italy rating 37 as they come into the last 300m. Romania don't lift much but just pull really hard, and get away again. Gold to Romania by clear water, silver Italy, bronze Germany, 4th to a very disappointed Canada, fifth Serbia & Montenegro and sixth the Czechs, several lengths back.
JW4- - Junior women's coxless fours A final
The wind's dropped to a very slight cross-tail, and it's started to spot with rain, making the spectators scurry for shelter. The heat winners were Belarus and Italy, who haven't raced since Wednesday, and they're off, these two the quickest in the first few strokes, though the race is a lot longer than that. It's raining quite hard now, which makes for good water conditions, just a few puffs of breeze disturbing the water down the course. Germany look to have also pushed ahead as they go through 300m gone, Belarus going with them, but it's Italy in front at the first signal though only by half a length. New Zealand are coming up quickly, have gone in front of Belarus into third as Italy push with 750m gone. Italy about a pip higher than Germany, but at the obvious point (halfway) New Zealand go again in lane 6. Germany push to match them, and these two sit level, trading strokes, as they move into the second half of the race. Italy still in the lead, Germany and New Zealand punching each other in second. Italy have clear water, but will that be enough in a medal final, the last race of the year? Poland are starting to do some damage, pulled up by the Kiwi attack on Germany and now within striking distance of a medal, but a few lanes away it's Belarus doing the real damage. Italy first through the 500 to go mark, Germany in second, Belarus in third half a length back, and New Zealand another half-length back in fourth. Belarus pushing really hard now, they've paced it well, so Belarus nearly up to Germany. Italy clear first, Germany struggling, Belarus took the lead for a few strokes and though they have little left, may keep it. Germany really faltering, Belarus have got their measure. Gold Italy, silver Belarus, bronze Germany, 4th Poland having overtaking fifth New Zealand, and the USA sixth on the far side. Fascinating racing, a mental as much as physical effort.
JM4- - Junior men's coxless fours A final
There's a strong smell of sauerkraut, being cooked at a stall right behind the grandstand, as the spectators stand for the Romanian anthem for the second time today at the JM2- presentation. The schedule is managing to stay just about on time, so the men's fours should be off any minute. Time for some adverts on the big screen first....
Here we go, and the Italians nearest the camera are off at 49, most of these crews being the top or near-top entries for their country. Germany's bow and stroke medalled last year, and should be the quickest on paper, and the British four saved all the energy they could yesterday, winning their semi-final at a low rate to prepare for today. Germany stayed high on the rate off the start for the whole of the first minute, which gave them an early lead ahead of Romania and Great Britain. Romania are the dark horses here, with three of the 2004 world champion eight but not showing much of their speed so far this regatta, after a quiet heat win on the first day, because they are doubling up. Germany stays just in the lead, Romania pushes just past Britain, and now Germany starts a charge to move out into a stronger lead. Halfway, and the host nation has a lead of a bare half-length, Romania not letting them get away. Britain's almost level with Romania, only a few hundredths of a second behind, and then Croatia and Serbia & Montenegro are battling for fourth. Here comes a big British push, as Romania push on Germany, and that takes the Brits into second. Germany under pressure from both sides, Britain and Romania attacking hard. Very level at the front now, Germany move out again into a canvas lead as Britain maintain second just ahead of Romania. Romania are on a roll though, and as Germany struggle to cling onto their lead, Romania look to be shifting past the Brits. Britain fading, Germany and Romania gunning for the line, 200m to go. Romania raise the rate again, Germany match it, inches between them, swapping the lead every stroke. Over the line, photofinish but the Romanians are sure they got it, yelling already. After a pause, it's confirmed. Gold Romania, silver Germany by 0.17 seconds, bronze Britain a length back, fourth Croatia, fifth Serbia & Montenegro, sixth Italy. Wow, three sweep golds for the Romanians and they may get more, with strong entries in the men's and women's eight, and their men's eight including all four of the boys who have just won.
JW1x - Junior women's single sculls A final
The rain's gone again and the sun comes out, just a few patches of blue sky between the clouds. Medal ceremony for the women's fours, and the poor Belarussians have to wear the most unflattering all-in-ones in the world: day-glo fluorescent green with fat red stripes down both sides and designed to emphasise their substantial rowers' thighs. Yuk.
On to the single sculls, and this could be a very interesting race. Back to the start camera, and off they go. Latvia off at 46, New Zealand also well over 40, and France's Clementine Jullien gets her bows in front first before being passed by Switzerland's Chantal Weibel. New Zealander Emma Twigg, who sculls at the same club as the Evers-Swindell Olympic champions, looking strong, and starts to surge into the lead. She moves inexorably out, into a Karsten-like lead, and meanwhile Italy's Gisella Bascelli, who won bronze in 2003 and has a sister in the Italian women's double, starts to move up. Halfway, and it's Twigg for New Zealand, now with half a length of clear water ahead of Italy, another length up on France. Latvia's quick-starter Liene Bertasjus begins to look dangerous, that halfway help the lane 6 gets making a difference as she goes into fourth. Twigg looking invincible, pushes away again, as Bascelli strengthens her own position in second. But it's not over, and remember a big fight for bronze can help everyone move up on the leaders. 1250m gone, New Zealand from Italy, France and Latvia extremely close in third almost level now. New Zealand is really going, now has three lengths over Italy, in turn several lengths clear of Latvia and France. Very obvious who will get the top two medals, Latvia pushes against France again, France just managing to stay in front. 200m to go, another Latvian attack, this time it works, she's two feet up and France knows it's over. Gold New Zealand, silver Italy, bronze Latvia, fourth France, fifth Switzerland and sixth Lithuania. Good news, a different national anthem for a change...
JM1x - Junior men's single sculls A final
Time for the men's singles, the hard-boys event now that the women have shown them how to do it. A good variety of countries here, including the brilliantly-named Angel Rodriguez from Cuba (Guantanamo Bay!), and the usual scattering of former East European nations. Germany's Stefan Krueger goes off first, with initially Latvia (Janis Timofejevs) and Estonia (Kaspar Taimsoo) following but it's the low-rating Milan Uzunovic from Serbia & Montenegro who just pulls strongly into a useful lead, followed by Germany and then Latvia. Bringing up the rear are Cuba and Slovenia (Klemen Kogler) with the Cuban beginning to drop into last. Uzunovic raced at the senior worlds in 2003, got bronze as a junior in 2004, and is sweeping his way along in the best single-sculler style, letting his power do the work without bothering with rate. Uzunovic starting to wash Rodriguez down now, he's so far in front of the Cuban, and getting clear water at 1250m gone ahead of the German. Coming to the last split, Uzunovic looking unassailable, and beginning to raise his rate up now to 31 as the pack closes up on Krueger. Krueger still at a low rate, Latvia coming hard and Estonia pulling up in the next lane too. 250m to go, Latvia almost up to Germany, Germany pushes again to 33, Latvia can't match that. Germany's stronger, but here comes Estonia racing for the bronze, closing all the time on Latvia and right alongside in the last few strokes. The two northern Europeans cross almost bowball to bowball as Uzunovic is already celebrating his win. Gold by miles to Serbia & Montenegro, silver Germany by a length, and then the photofinish confirms it's bronze to Estonia just 0.14 ahead of Latvia in fourth. Fifth Slovenia, sixth Cuba.
* * * * * LUNCH BREAK * * * * *
There's a one-hour break now, and I'll pick up the commentary again afterwards, again uploading when racing finishes for the day.
JW2x - Junior women's double sculls A final
We're back about to start racing again, and perhaps due to the erratic wind, FISA have switched the lanes, with the semi-winners going to lanes 6 and 5, and in echelon down to lane 1. As usual, this means a few crews who were 3rd in semis so in lane 1 end up moving in a lane, which is a bonus. The spectators will be pleased, as it puts the favourites right next to the grandstand.
Racing begins, and the Czechs are up on the Germans: no surprise really as the Czech girls are the reigning world champions, in their second year at the junior championships. Romania aren't too far behind, with the Ukraine next. Our noses tell us the food-stall behind has thrown another few pork steaks on the grill, and as the last few spectators scramble into the stands, the Czechs move steadily away from Germany, who are much lighter girls. Still, it's enough weight and talent to keep Romania in their place in third, as Ukraine begin to try and push back. Rather a spread-out field as they come to halfway, and decent light tailwind conditions on the lake. Past the point and island they go, marking 1100m gone at the Beetzsee, and the positions unchanged apart from South Africa and Australia having a private Commonwealth struggle for 5th/6th places. Last 300m to go, still nothing changing, the Czechs at 33, but now lengths up in the lead and looking very comfortable. Germany have enough in hand to be sure of second, and the Romanians have managed to stave off Ukraine's attacks. Gold the Czech Republic, silver to Germany's Baues twins, bronze Romania, fourth Ukraine, fifth Australia and sixth South Africa.
JM2x - Junior men's double sculls A final
Italy really lost out on the redraw, shifting from lane six to lane 2, while the Slovenes and Germans get prize place in the nearside lanes which get useful shelter several times along the course. Not that the wind is up to much, which may make the FISA fairness commission rue its alteration. As the women's doubles come into the medal raft, the men set off.
New Zealand, Germany and Croatia burst into the first part of the course, with New Zealand doing the hardest work, clearly trying to surprise the fancied Germany and Slovenian crews. 400m and Germany are pushing, an effective surge which brings them steadily into the lead as they pass 600m gone. 750m gone, and Slovenia, both in last year's champion junior quad, catch a boat-stopper of a crab, and have to scramble to get back into the race , after losing 6-7 seconds. The lead still unchanged, Germany from New Zealand, but the Slovenian mistake may have given Croatia and Italy a sniff of a chance at the third medal. Slovenia batting along at 35 trying to come back, Germany having it all their way in the lead, and New Zealand are fading as Croatia come through to move into second. France also challenging Italy, but here come New Zealand pushing back again to try and take their revenge on Croatia. Slovenia well out of it now, nothing they can do, and New Zealand are trying to get back into second. Germany under pressure with Croatia and New Zealand getting closer, but a last push should keep the gold for them. Croatia lift their effort to hold off New Zealand one more time, and the line gets closer as France start to move well clear of Italy. Thrilling stuff, Croatia closing on Germany but running out of space. They finish, and it's gold Germany, silver Croatia, bronze New Zealand, fourth France, fifth Italy, and sixth Slovenia, the bowman battering the water in disgust at their bad luck.
JW4x - Junior women's quadruple sculls A final
As the quads line up, the doubles are getting their medals. I've just twigged that the princessy medal-holders are wearing the appropriate colours: gold, silver and bronze dresses to match their job. Cute (I think). The Czech anthem is so mournful, almost resigned, but thoroughly spoiled by a mobile phone at full volume beeping away right through it.
Back to the start again, and some nervous quads get ready for the race of their lives. The German quad looks positively unbeatable on paper, bookended by Mandy Reppner at bow and Anna Kluchert at stroke, who both raced and won the quads last year. Hard to see which crew goes off quickest from the rather extreme camera angle, but Belarus it is once the binoculars are focused properly, trying to pull a fast one over Germany. They manage it quite well, hitting the first marker a few feet in the lead, with Germany well up on the slower starters Britain. Germany need to do something if they want to live up to their reputation, and do, pushing at 600m gone, and taking over the lead from Belarus very competently as both boats move away from Britain. The question is how much that start took out of Belarus, and we won't know that for a while. Coming up to halfway, it's Germany moving a few more feet away from Belarus, Britain pushing to hang on. All these quads relatively low-rating, mostly at 34, only Germany higher, and that's doing them no end of good to increase the lead. The gaps open up, as they speed down towards the finish line, just 600m to go now, and Britain start to make their move as the Italians pick up the pace and try go go for third place. Only a few hundred metres left, Belarus's strength is making inroads into Germany, Italy challenging Britain badly. Belarus doing an incredible job, Germany seem to be struggling to hold onto their lead, but there's not much water left and Germany still cling to a 3/4 length lead. Two races here: Britain holding off Italy but not by much, Germany start to move away again, Britain are confident as Italy run out of steam. Last few strokes, and it's gold for Germany, silver for Belarus, bronze Great Britain, who are clearly pleased with that. Fourth Italy, fifth Poland and sixth France, all strung out in a row. Fortunately these Belarussians don't have the day-glo kit, but are in the proper international BLR strip we are used to, sane dark green, red and white. Sensible girls.
JM4x - Junior men's quadruple sculls A final
For the men's doubles medal ceremony, the flowers are given out by the regional manager of sponsors Mc******s, who gets a huge cheer from the spectators. Not at all sure she wouldn't be booed if we were in Britain. German national anthem again, they're moving back up towards Romania on the medal table. The boys disappear, the women's quads land and start huggging parents, and so back to the lake for the men's quads race.
Russia lost out on this lane redraw, relegated to lane one when they were originally in six. However, it hasn't really altered the racing results much so far, it's not obvious the shift was needed as the wind is still right down. A very tight race, this one, with Ukraine making a bid for the lead, but beaten to it by a smidge by Germany, also Slovenia surging forward. First marker, still Germany, then Slovenia and Ukraine/Italy, and Britain and Russia starting to get a bit of mid-race speed going. Germany holding on well, just up on Italy, Ukraine's fast start hasn't entirely run out yet, nearly up to the thousand. And it's Germany from a three-boat posse of Ukraine, Slovenia and Italy, nothing much between any of those going for the minor medals. Here we go from Italy, shoving onwards as Ukraine start to fail and Slovenia come forward. 1300m gone, Germany from Italy, Ukraine regain some spirit and hold ahead of Slovenia, while Britain and Russia drop behind the rest of the field, they don't quite have enough to stay in the contest. 600m to go, Germany just in front but Italy's charge is now. Watch how fast they can come forward. Italy at 38, Germany at 37, Ukraine on the far side charging again, Slovenia not quite done. Italy get the lead, Germany go again to counter it, Slovenia close right up to Ukraine. Italy cross first, while there's a photofinish for third. Gold Italy, silver Germany, and it's bronze for Ukraine just holding onto the medal by 0.3 off fourth-placed Slovenia. Fifth Great Britain, sixth Russia.
JW8+ - Junior women's eights A final
Just two races to go, and the spectators are really getting excited now. If they don't stop getting up to jump about as the races come past, I'm going to start yelling (the media desks are at the back of the grandstand, and some of these parents are rather too tall and very thoughtless).
The Romanian crew includes the world champion girl's pair, and they're being led by Germany as they dash off the start. Not much in it, a few feet for the first couple of hundred metres, and as they get towards 500m gone, Romania begin a push back again. USA in third, and Britain in fourth ahead of Russia and the Czechs. Lots of pushes coming in now, USA's the most effective having taken them past Britain and now going through Germany and Romania. Up to the island, USA have it from Germany, then Romania, Russia and Britain, Czech Republic fading back off the pace. Very very tight racing, anything could happen here, no more than 1/3 of a length separating the first five crews. USA still bows in front, Germany trying to edge back. 1250m gone, Romania still in third, Britain pushing on Russia now, helped by the Americans going. Germany push back nicely into the lead with some strong rowing at a lower rate, USA beginning to fade and dropping to the Romanian attack. Germany, from Romania, USA and Britain challenging for third. Germany getting the advantage of the grandstand, start to really move out, Romania and GBR and USA all in a race, but with a stronger wind it's going on lane. As they finish the race each crew is a neat 1/3-1/2 length ahead of the one to its left. A very clear demonstration of lane assignment. Gold Germany, silver Romania, bronze Great Britain, fourth USA, fifth Russia, sixth Czech Republic.
JM8+ - Junior men's eights A final
As the men's quads get their medals (no prizes for the Ukrainian lime/royal blue kit either) a sudden rainstorm moves down the lake from the start. At this rate the men's eights, already probably drenched, will row back into it as they come towards the line. No, it evaporates, and we get a brief respite, with the wind dropping a little too.
This should be a good race, Romania already including four world champions doubling up, New Zealand have raced really well this week, and Germany rowed a rubbish heat but managed to get brilliantly back on form for the semi-final. New Zealand making the early running, a bit before they have in the other races, with the Germans third to the USA who have a serious charge going now. USA one of the heat winners on the first day, and their push puts them half an inch ahead of New Zealand as they cross the halfway mark, with Germany still in third. But these German boys don't intend to lose on their home water, here comes their next push and take the lead back at 1250m gone. The Americans aren't having it, New Zealand start to drop back a bit and the USA go back into a few feet lead over Germany. The lead swapping all the time, very close between these three crews, and Romania and Russia also threats. USA moving right out, Germany fading as Russia go for bust, but here comes the charge we always thought Romania would try and make, right up into the medal positions. USA from Germany, from Romania, from Russia. Romania still closing on the Germans and this will go to the line. Gold to the USA quite clearly, but it's silver to Germany by 0.14 seconds, bronze Romania, fourth Russia, fifth New Zealand and sixth France.
That puts Germany unsurprisingly top of the medal table, with four golds out of twelve medals: that's a medal for every single crew they had in an A final, and only two of them bronzes. The German party tonight should be a stormer. Romania three golds, Italy two, and only seven countries shared the champions titles with these three taking the lion's share. Nothing for Australia, and only one for the USA, though they will no doubt be pleased they're back at the top of the eights after several leaner years. All the medals to Europeans bar three this time.