2022 World Rowing Championships: Friday 23 September Day 6
Lightweight sculler Jackie Kiddle, with an outstanding row, has claimed New Zealand’s first medal on day 6 of the World Rowing Championships in the Czech Republic. The 28-year-old from the Star Boating Club in Wellington has carried a heavy workload at these Championships, doubling up in the lightweight women’s double at the Racice course, but was right on the pace to achieve the tīma’s first medal.
Jackie’s a powerful presence on the water and led at halfway but couldn’t match Dutch sculler Martine Veldhuis or Romania’s lonela Cozmiuc through the third 500. lonela dropped down to the lightweight category after rowing in the open women’s quad at the World Cup in Lucerne in July. The Romanian winning in 7.42.59, with Martine Veldhuis 2nd and Jackie taking bronze.
The third 500 presented only opportunity for Emma Twigg in
her semifinal of the women’s single. She was able to move from third to first
place and then accelerate away from the field on the way to a convincing win.
Moving time came at around the 1100m mark for Emma, her boat speed visibly
increasing without any change in her rating. Emma’s been competing in this
event at the highest level since 2007. Last night was her 101st race in the
single at either a World Championships, World Cup or Olympic regatta. At 35
years of age, she knows exactly where here
racing strengths lie. Emma’s biggest rival for gold could well come from the
winner of the other semifinal, Karolien Florijn of the Netherlands. She only
started rowing the single at senior level this season, winning all her 11 races
so far including gold at the European Championships, World Cups I and II. She’s
just 24. The two athletes have very different approaches to racing as their
rounded split times show:
1st 500 2nd 500 3rd 500 4th 500
Karolien 1.47.1 1.52.8 1.53.4 1.53.2
Emma 1.51.4 1.53.0 1.50.7 1.52.8
If it happens that Emma and Karolien are fighting it out for gold stroke for stroke in Sunday’s final, the athlete who likes to row out in front is going to have to find a way to hold off the one who over many, many years has learned how to row through anyone ahead of her.
Jordan Parry might well be planning a long career in the smallest boat as well after taking another big step in his development. He’ll row the penultimate medal race of the regatta in the A final of the men’s single. Germany’s Ollie Zeidler dominated the second semi while Parry and Briton Graeme Thomas sparred all the way down the course to secure the other two qualifying spots. It’s a significant achievement for the 26-year-old.
Kiwis in action tonight (NZT)
Men’s quad of Jack O’Leary, Jamie Hindle-Daniels, Stephen Jones and Phil Wilson C final 9.12pm
Lightweight women’s double of Jackie Kiddle and Rachael Kennedy B final 10.04pm
Lightweight men’s double of Chris Stockley and Matthew Dunham B final 10.12pm
Women’s four of Phoebe Spoors, Beth Ross, Davina Waddy, Catherine Layburn B final 10.20pm
Women’s quad of Stella Clayton-Greene, Kate Haines, Hannah Osborne, Kirstyn Goodger B final 10.36pm
Women’s pair of Kerri Williams and Grace Prendergast A final 11.34pm
Men’s pair of Tom Mackintosh and Matt MacDonald A final 11.51pm