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Two Kiwi crews charge into medal contention
The Men's Four and Double racing for gold at U19 Worlds in Bulgaria.
The Men's Four has headlined the charge to the A Finals for the New Zealand squad on day two of the U19 World Rowing Championships in Plovdiv, Bulgaria.
Charlie Field, Sam Bird, Alex Walters and George Langley were convincing winners of their semifinal to secure a spot in tonight's medal race at 8.49pm NZT.
New Zealand led from start to finish, extending their margin throughout, to cross the line in 6min 08.31sec, fending off France (6:10.32) and Spain (6:12.56) who will also join them in the final.
It was only New Zealand's second race together and their finish was a big step up from the heat yesterday when they'd been overhauled by France in the final 200m.
Not today.
The men's four of Charlie Field, Sam Bird, Alex Walters and George Langley were convincing winners of their semifinal to secure a spot in tonight's medal race at 8.49pm NZT.
The Women's Double Sculls of Eleri Clare and Zara Blackie had finished third in a quick heat on day one and also had the third best time of the six crews that lined up for their semifinal.
But heat times count for little once sudden death decides who's off to the A and B Finals. New Zealand was travelling well for the first half of the race, holding third behind Poland and Greece. The turning point came in the third 500m, with New Zealand slipping back and Ireland accelerating into the mix.
That left Eleri and Zara in fourth with 500m to go and in the rush to the line they weren't able to close the gap on the leading three.
Poland won in 7:14.25, Greece was second (7:18.17) and Ireland third (7:18.74). Eleri and Zara crossed in 7:20.76. They will race the B Final at 6.57pm tonight.
The Women's Double Sculls of Eleri Clare and Zara Blackie crossed the line in 7:20.76 and will race the B Final.
Charlie Manser and Aidan Bennett were next up, straight into the blocks for semifinal one of the Men's Double Sculls. They'd been the fastest crew by five seconds from the six heats and executed a powerful quarter-final as well.
But the margins shrink as the racing progresses towards the finals and Aidan and Charlie found themselves in a massive fight with Turkiye, a crew of Individual Neutral Athletes and China.
The Kiwis were marginally behind in fourth at the 500m but, as with their races on opening day, built through the middle 1K to be third at the 1500m. Even then the result was uncertain, just 1.35s separating the top four crews with 500m to go.
Aidan and Charlie had a good crack at 250 to go, overhauling AIN and challenging the Turks but unable to bridge the gap. It was a top row from the New Zealanders, who crossed in 6:33.71, just over two seconds behind the winners. They get to go again tonight in the A Final at 8.19pm.
Charlie Manser and Aidan Bennett had a strong row in their Men's Double Sculls semi crossing the line in 6:33.71, just over two seconds behind the winners.
The Women's Four of Charlotte Mawston, Georgia Kendrick, Charlotte Gorman and Jess Walkinshaw probably had the toughest route of the New Zealand crews to advance to the A Final.
They were up against four crews from a fast heat two, where the USA and France had automatically qualified and Italy and Poland also advanced based on their times. Had they been dragged through by the speed of the frontrunners leaving them vulnerable to a well-executed race from the Kiwis?
They had a good start and went through the first 500m in third, just 1.13s down on leaders France. The second 500m left them in sixth but still within reach of the lead, the margin between all the crews just 2.34s. New Zealand was still 6th through the 1500m before pulling off a massive sprint for the line to finish fourth (6:58.87) just 0.09s out of a place in the final. The USA won in 6:56.79.
The Women's Four will race the B Final at 7.07pm tonight.
Two crews in contention for a medal, two crews with B Finals and a chance to finish on a high.
The Women's Four of Charlotte Mawston, Georgia Kendrick, Charlotte Gorman and Jess Walkinshaw finish fourth (6:58.87) in their semi just 0.09s out of a place in the A final.
Andy Hay
Andy Hay is a freelance producer, writer and Maadi Cup-winning coach. He was cox of the world champion New Zealand eight of 1982 and '83. He is NZ Olympian #446.
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- Home
- /
- International Regattas
- /
- Two Kiwi crews...
Two Kiwi crews charge into medal contention
The Men's Four and Double racing for gold at U19 Worlds in Bulgaria.
The Men's Four has headlined the charge to the A Finals for the New Zealand squad on day two of the U19 World Rowing Championships in Plovdiv, Bulgaria.
Charlie Field, Sam Bird, Alex Walters and George Langley were convincing winners of their semifinal to secure a spot in tonight's medal race at 8.49pm NZT.
New Zealand led from start to finish, extending their margin throughout, to cross the line in 6min 08.31sec, fending off France (6:10.32) and Spain (6:12.56) who will also join them in the final.
It was only New Zealand's second race together and their finish was a big step up from the heat yesterday when they'd been overhauled by France in the final 200m.
Not today.
The men's four of Charlie Field, Sam Bird, Alex Walters and George Langley were convincing winners of their semifinal to secure a spot in tonight's medal race at 8.49pm NZT.
The Women's Double Sculls of Eleri Clare and Zara Blackie had finished third in a quick heat on day one and also had the third best time of the six crews that lined up for their semifinal.
But heat times count for little once sudden death decides who's off to the A and B Finals. New Zealand was travelling well for the first half of the race, holding third behind Poland and Greece. The turning point came in the third 500m, with New Zealand slipping back and Ireland accelerating into the mix.
That left Eleri and Zara in fourth with 500m to go and in the rush to the line they weren't able to close the gap on the leading three.
Poland won in 7:14.25, Greece was second (7:18.17) and Ireland third (7:18.74). Eleri and Zara crossed in 7:20.76. They will race the B Final at 6.57pm tonight.
The Women's Double Sculls of Eleri Clare and Zara Blackie crossed the line in 7:20.76 and will race the B Final.
Charlie Manser and Aidan Bennett were next up, straight into the blocks for semifinal one of the Men's Double Sculls. They'd been the fastest crew by five seconds from the six heats and executed a powerful quarter-final as well.
But the margins shrink as the racing progresses towards the finals and Aidan and Charlie found themselves in a massive fight with Turkiye, a crew of Individual Neutral Athletes and China.
The Kiwis were marginally behind in fourth at the 500m but, as with their races on opening day, built through the middle 1K to be third at the 1500m. Even then the result was uncertain, just 1.35s separating the top four crews with 500m to go.
Aidan and Charlie had a good crack at 250 to go, overhauling AIN and challenging the Turks but unable to bridge the gap. It was a top row from the New Zealanders, who crossed in 6:33.71, just over two seconds behind the winners. They get to go again tonight in the A Final at 8.19pm.
Charlie Manser and Aidan Bennett had a strong row in their Men's Double Sculls semi crossing the line in 6:33.71, just over two seconds behind the winners.
The Women's Four of Charlotte Mawston, Georgia Kendrick, Charlotte Gorman and Jess Walkinshaw probably had the toughest route of the New Zealand crews to advance to the A Final.
They were up against four crews from a fast heat two, where the USA and France had automatically qualified and Italy and Poland also advanced based on their times. Had they been dragged through by the speed of the frontrunners leaving them vulnerable to a well-executed race from the Kiwis?
They had a good start and went through the first 500m in third, just 1.13s down on leaders France. The second 500m left them in sixth but still within reach of the lead, the margin between all the crews just 2.34s. New Zealand was still 6th through the 1500m before pulling off a massive sprint for the line to finish fourth (6:58.87) just 0.09s out of a place in the final. The USA won in 6:56.79.
The Women's Four will race the B Final at 7.07pm tonight.
Two crews in contention for a medal, two crews with B Finals and a chance to finish on a high.
The Women's Four of Charlotte Mawston, Georgia Kendrick, Charlotte Gorman and Jess Walkinshaw finish fourth (6:58.87) in their semi just 0.09s out of a place in the A final.
Andy Hay
Andy Hay is a freelance producer, writer and Maadi Cup-winning coach. He was cox of the world champion New Zealand eight of 1982 and '83. He is NZ Olympian #446.
