6th-8th August 2004, Poznan, Poland
The following unashamed British-interest reports come from Chris Tipney and Jennifer George, out to support the GBR team. For links to the results and reports from FISA, see the RS news page. There is also more material on RowTalk.
Pictures - (will load in a separate window, 100-200kb each) - the British flag in bronze, silver and gold medal positions: the British women's pair hugging and at their medal ceremony: the men's lightweight pair medal ceremony and hugging: the men's coxed four medal ceremony and with their medals back in the boat: Colin Smith, British men's single, with his medal, being completely outbulked by his oppo at the medal ceremony (Colin only weighs about 82kgs - this makes his silver medal an even more brilliant achievement, and in a headwind....), and Colin's secret message to his coach, Ray Ward. Finally, there is the GB women's champion four - celebrating and medal ceremony.
Huge thanks to Chris Tipney and Jenny George for their journalistic and photography skills, and their efforts in covering these races for those who couldn't be there.
Women's single scull B final
Katie Greves, 5th in her semi-final yesterday starts in lane 5. Katie won a bronze medal in the womens pair last year. In lane 3 is Leva Semeta of Latvia (LAT - silver medal winner at the junior worlds 2 years ago) and in lane 4 Sonja Keserac of Croatia (CRO). At 1000 GBR 2nd behind LAT ahead of FRA and CRO first 3 all neck and neck for the lead. By 1500 LAT trying to push ahead but GBR staying with her as they push away from the field and in fact GBR is .3 secs ahead rating 33. With 250 to go a great battle for the lead with GBR just ahead of FRA and CRO. Photo finish for 2nd and third.
Result - 1st GBR 8.24.06, 2nd FRA 8.25.38, 3rd CRO 8.25.98.
A good start for the final day here in sunny Poznan! As yet not quite as windy as on previous days.
Lightweight men's single scull B final
David Currie starts in lane 4, alonside Methieu Mallein of France in lane 3 (FRA) and Santiago Esparza of Mexicao (MEX). There seems to some confusion about which three letter codes the score sheets use here - we will try to stick to the ones mentioned here. At 1000 Dave Currie is 2nd behind MEX and ahead of Valeriy Chykyrinda UKR, the Mexican sculler working very hard leads Currie by a length. Some doubt from the boat commentary that he can maintain this effort. With 500 to go positions ar the same. Last 250 MEX still dominating the race UKR now rating 35 is pushing GBR, last 100 MEX 2 lengths ahead of Currie who is one length ahead of UKR.
Result - 1st MEX 7.34.56, 2nd GBR 7.37.26, 3rd UKR 7.38.96.
Lightweight men's double scull B final
GB in Lane 1, Ben Tipney and Gavin Shaw. At 1200m GRE lead the field, just pipped to a final's place in yeserdays semi's by Henley winners HUN. The Greeks are the strongest crew in this field and favorites to win this 'B' final. Leading the field over the whole course GRE win in a time of 6.59.25. Behind them FRA, AUT and GBR fought out the 2nd 3rd and 4th places. For the first half of the race AUT held off FRA for second place but eventually conceded at around 1500 finding themselves chased hard by the Brits determined to keep tham honest! Over the line all crews within a length of each other - good race.
Result - 1st GRE 6.59.25, 2nd FRA 7.04.01, 3rd AUT 7.04.41, 4th GBR 7.07.33.
Men's quadruple scull B final
British quad of James Dunley (b), Henry Pelly, Sam Townsend and Alex Gregory (s) start in lane 1. In the centre of the pack are Russia (RUS) lane 3 and France (FRA) in lane 4. The Russian quad has Sergeij Shushin (b), Sergei Kholodov, Igor Salov and Aleksandr Lebedev (s). In the Frence boat we have Jean-Marie Imbert (b), Vincent Petit, Olivier Grauwin and Dorian Mortelette. At 1500 GBR in 5th as they have unfortunately been most of the way. Close race for first three place between RUS FRA and ROM.
Result - 1st RUS 6.23.87, 2nd FRA 6.25.99, 3rd ROM 6.26.29, 4th LTU 6.32.50, 5th GBR 6.40.52.
Men's coxless pair B final
Last of the B Final for today finds Ryan Davies (b) and Henry Bailhache-Webb (s) in Lane 5. Beside them in lane 4 is Spain (ESP) Pedro Rodriguez (b) and Noe Guzman (s) in lane 4 and Kaspars Mikelsons (b) and Arturs Kalnins of Latvia (LAT). At 500 GBR lead ESP and LAT, by 1000 LAT lead BGR by 1 foot according to boat commentary with CRO in third. LAT just inching ahead with a slightly longer stroke. With 500 to go LAT still lead GBR but only by .5 sec CRO still 3rd 4 secs down. Coming into last 250 LAT lead by 3/4 length CRO moving up to GBR. Last 100 GBR challenge for lead and with great final push take the lead in last 50 metres. Great race very well down GB !!
Result - 1st GBR 7.14.96, 2nd LAT 7.15.43, 3rd CRO 7.20.83
Women's coxless pair A final
The womens pair of Jo Cook (b) and Annie Vernon (s) start in lane 5. Main opposition must be Joanna Roenfeldt (b) and Christina Gerking (s) of Germany in lane 3 and Alina Poncisel (b) and Ana-Maria Apachitel (s) of Romania (ROM) in lane 4. There is strong Australian and British support in the grandstand, much colour and flag waving.
At 500m gone Romania lead by half a length over Germany, the rest of the field is very close one and a half lengths cover whole pack at this point. GB are in 5th as they cross 500 m timing mark. At 850m gone Romania and Germany well clear of field, GB still in 5th. At 1000 Germany challenging Romanina and take the lead. Italy neck and neck with Romania. Jo Cook and Annie Vernon coming up on the Australian pair but still showing in 5th at this stage. With 500 to go Germany well out in front now and have reduced strike rate to 34, Italy and Romania in second and third with GB and Australia fighting it out for 4th. Coming into last 250 Germany still have a good lead in lane 3, behind them Romania, Italy and GB all fighting for the other medals. Romania hang on to second place but a fantastic last push gives GBR third and the bronze medal. Well done to Jo Cook and Annie Vernon.
Result - Gold GER 8.23.15, silver ROM 8.31.55, bronze GBR 8.31.80.
Women's coxless four A final
The GB womens coxless four of Natash Page (b), Beth Rodford, Anna Bebington and Alison Knowles (s) start in lane 2. In lane 3 is Kitt Turner (b), Faraley Vanderschilden, Heather Mandoli and Katie Reynolds (s) of Canada (CAN). The other main opposition must be Australian (AUS) four of Emma Wawn (b), Sarah Cook, Tara Huntly and Felicity Willis (s).
At 500 gone GB in the lead with a length lead over the Ukraine and Canada, GB rating 35. Boat commentary gives GB crew looking comfortable and lead is safe at this stage. At mid-point GB still in lead with almost 4 secs over Canada and Australia who are very close together. At 1300 GB have small amount of clear water over Australia who have half a length over Canada. Australia have increased their rate to keep in contact and are maybe catching GB at this stage. At 500 to go GB still have three quarters of a length over Australia , Canada still in third. Last 250 and the grandstand comes alive with support for GB. The crew respond and at 36 they hold the Australian crew at bay. In the last 50m GB crew have clear water over Australia who hold off a chasing Canadian crew. Gold for GB: very well done to Natash Page, Beth Rodford, Anna Bebington and Alis
on Knowles.
Result - Gold GBR 7.21.89, silver AUS 7.25.02, bronze CAN 7.26.22.
Much cheering in the stands as in bright sunshine the girls receive their gold medals.....
Lightweight men's coxless pair A final
In the Lightweight Mens Coxless Pair A Final are Paul Kelly in the bow seat and stroke James Clarke. They have had a good regatta so far and start in lane 3. Alongside them are Ahmet Yumrukaya (b) and Emre Vural (s) of Turkey (TUR). The other threats are Sebastian Husemann and Stafan Mlecko of Germany and Stuart King and Dermot O'Sullivan of Ireland (IRL). The course still has a significant headwind but not nearly as strong as Friday and Saturday.
In the first few metres Italy lead Britain in typical fashion with the rest of the field in a line. British crew reported as having more control hold second place behind Italy, but as we approach 500 Germany move alongside the British double. With 500m gone leaders are Italy, GB, Germany and Turkey. Only 3 seconds cover the first 4 boats. After 650m Germany and the British crews neck and neck just behind Italy. The Italian crew is watching British and Germany crews carefully as the Germans move ahead of the British to attack them. At the 1000m point German now just in the lead with Britain only a quarter of a length behind - first 3 crews are very close togther. Little further back is Turkey. With 500m to go Germany in lead, Italy is second but tiring with Turkey having made up a great deal of ground to push the British boat into 4th place. As we come to last 250 metres the British crew tries to stay with Turkey who are chasing Germany.The Turks draw alongside the Germans at 100m. In last 50 metres Turkey overtake Germany and take the lead. The British crew hang on to third for bronze as the early leaders Italy drop to 4th. An amazing second 1000m by the Turkish crew to take gold.
Result - Gold TUR 7.23.09, silver GER 7.23.80, bronze GBR 7.28.33.
Well done to Paul Kelly and James Clarke.
Men's single scull A final
One of our main medal hopes Colin Smith starts in lane 4, Colin has had a fine regatta at Poznan but has tough opposition in the form of the Latvian sculler Kristaps Bokums beside him in lane 3. The other fastest qualifiers are Mitchell Punch of Australia and Sjoerd Hamburger of the Netherlands (NED).
At 250 m the British sculler has three quarters of a length lead over Australia with Germany third. With 500m gone Colin Smith of Great Britain still a quarter of a length over Punch of Australia. At 1000 Punch alongside Smith with Hamburger of the Netherlands not far behind, all three scullers are very close. According to timing the order is GB, Australia, Netherlands and Latvia. The Latvian sculler has had a slower start but starting to make a move. With 500 to go it's the British boat alongside Netherlands, Australia and Latvia - they are all in a row with nothing to show between them. Coming to the last 250 it's still all to play for between these four scullers - who has some in reserve? Just 100m to go now and it's Bokums of Latvia now in lead with Smith of Britain and Hamburger of the Netherlands fighting it out for second and third places. The Latvian sculler starts to fade in last 20 metres but hangs on for first place and the gold medal, Colin Smith of Britain takes silver with the Netherlands in the bronze position..
Very well done to Colin Smith
Result - Gold LAT 7.24.00, silver GBR 7.24.98, bronze NED 7.25.36.
Men's coxless four A final
The men's coxless four of Edward Sherwood (b), David Livingston, James Orme, and Richard Sykes-Popham start in lane 1. Favourites must be Australia in lane 3 and Germany in lane 4. The Australian crew is Peter Winkle (b), Sebastian Harper, Craig Dorrstein and David Galley (s). with for Germany Falk Mueller (b), Steffan Seger, Florian Fichner and Jan Mueller (s). The increasing cloud development as we approach the warmest part of the day is producing some strong gusts along the course - there may even be rain during the afternoon. A thunderstorm has just started behind the course race due to start in four minutes ! All the flowers on the podium have developed the urge to fly. There's a whole raft full of officials getting very damp as a previous race winners get their medals. The rowers don't seem to mind the rain - probably nice and cooling. I feel a bit sorry for the girls holding the trays of medals: I don't suppose the Polish National dress is known for being waterproof. The race is delayed by the starter due to conditions at the start: although rain has eased
at the finish I think the conditions at other end of the lake are much worse. The wind has died after the storm - now flat calm conditions.
Leading initially is German boat with Croatia and Spain in hot pursuit, just 200m covered. At 500 m early leader still Germany, the British boat is in 6th place but only 3 seconds cover the whole field. Spain in lane 6 looking a bit ragged acccording to the boat commentary. At mid way its Germany, Spain, Croatia, Romania Australia and Great Britain. Romania and Australia are making a move at this point. Spain and Croatia have taken the lead away from Germany as we approach 500m to the line. The order on the timing at 1500m is Croatia, Spain, Australia Germany. the Australian boat has also moved past the Germans. Britain still in 6th position. Into last 250m Croatia well in lead over Australia but Australia fighting back with Spain in third. A very determined charge by the Aussies but Croatia hold on and Spain stay third. Early leaders Germany have faded to 5th ahead of the British boat.
Result - Gold CRO 6.17.55, silver AUS 6.18.06, bronze ESP 6.20.31, 4th ROM, 5th GER, 6th GBR 6.30.84.
Men's coxed four A final
Another good British medal hope is the Men's Coxed Four of Will Robinson (b) Tom Parker, Rob Hollis, Hugo Lee (s) and Nick Ford (cox). They start in lane 4 with Australia in lane 3. The Australians are Ian Allsop (b) Fergus Pragnall, Michael Valli, Matthew Ryan (s) and Robert Williams (cox).
Approaching 1000 a tight race is developing between Australia and Great Britain with Romania snapping at their rudder posts, currently the British boat is just ahead. The order by 1000m timing point is Romania, Australia, Great Britain, Germany, Poland and Russia. At 500 to go Australia just ahead of Germany followed very closely by Britain and Romania. But all first four boats are still very close together. Coming to last 250, Australia have eased out a lead of one length. The Germans are challenging the British for the silver medal spot. Great Britain up their rate to keep up the push as Australia fades. A photo finish between the first three too close to call from here in the stands.
Outcome - Australia did hold on, the British boat with late push wrested the silver medal off Germany who end up with Bronze. A very exciting final 100 metres and a fitting last race for the British squad - excellent racing as another thunderstorm gathers overhead. Silver medal for Will Robinson, Tom Parker, Rob Hollis, Hugo Lee, and Nick Ford , well fought and many congratulations.
Result - Gold AUS 6.33.00, silver GBR 6.33.19, bronze GER 6.33.83.
Well that's all folks. Just the athletes' party to go, and then it's goodbye to Poland. Chris and Jenny. Summary of the twelve British results overall:
M4x 11th LM2x 10th W1x 7th LM1x 7th M2- 7th (all won their B finals) LW2x 6th M4- 6th W2- bronze LM2- bronze M1x silver M4+ silver W4- gold
Britain was fourth on the medal table overall: a great result.