Last tickets to Tokyo awarded at the 2021 World Rowing Final Paralympic Qualification Regatta

The sun was just peeking through the clouds to welcome athletes for the finals day at the Final Paralympic Qualification Regatta. The tension was high as it would determine the last tickets to Tokyo.

PR1 women’s single sculls (PR1W1x) – Final

There was a race for lanes for the PR1 women’s single held on Thursday, which gave the athletes an idea of their comparative speed. But Brazil had a boat underweight and was relegated to last place. Coming into today’s final, the athletes knew that Claudia Cicero dos Santos Sabino had the best boat speed. She got off to the quickest start and it was no turning back. Sabino raced at the 2016 Paralympic Games before taking some years away from international rowing. This was her chance at a place in Tokyo and in the first 500m she had pulled away from the field. Behind her was a nice tussle between Italy’s Laura Morato and Sweden’s Ebba Einarsson. Morato had the better middle thousand and managed to pull ahead of Einarsson. Across the line Sabino had done enough to claim the qualification place.

Finishing positions: Brazil, Italy, Sweden, Algeria 

Claudia Cicero dos Santos Sabino : “I am so happy, I worked so hard for this race and I am happy to represent Brazil for the fourth time at the Paralympics.”

PR1 men’s single sculls (PR1M1x) – Final

The PR1 men’s single was whittled down to only six athletes competing in this Final race. Looking at the times from the heat, it was expected to be a close race between Germany and Poland. But Germany’s Marcus Klemp knew that he had a better race in him. Klemp raced for many years in the PR2 mixed double sculls, but has been reclassified to the single sculls, and has been working his way up the rankings. Klemp went out strong in an attempt to race from the front of the field. His strategy worked. Behind him there was a close race between Italy, Hungary, Poland and Argentina. But the local favourite from Italy Massimo Spolon got the best of it. Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough to qualify him for Tokyo, that honour was only extended to Klemp.

 Finishing positions: Germany, Italy, Hungary, Poland, Argentina, Sudan

Markus Klemp, Germany : “I’m feeling great, it’s the last spot for Tokyo. It’s all I wanted- a dream come true.”

PR2 mixed double sculls (PR2Mix2x) – Final

Both Australia and Italy qualified directly out of the heat for the final in the PR2 mixed double sculls. Italy had the slightly faster time, but it was certain to be a tight race. Canada went through the repechage, but were hoping they could challenge for one of the top spots. Indeed, it was Australia and Italy who went out the starting blocks like rockets in the center lanes, with Canada and Uzbekistan hot on their tails. As they came toward the finish line, the stroke rates went up and three crews were charging for just two qualification spots. Italy, Australia and Canada were all approaching the line. But it was the experience of the Italian and Australian crews that helped them fend off the Canadian challenge.

Finishing positions: Italy, Australia, Canada, Uzbekistan, Germany, Russia

Kat Ross, Australia, PR2Mix2x : “It’s a mix of emotions right now, this is a new combination, so ecstatic to have the chance to go to Tokyo and see what we can do.”

PR3 mixed coxed four (PR3Mix4+) – Final

The PR3 mixed coxed four had eight entries, which really showed the development of the sport of para-rowing. But in the heats it became clear that the Canadians would be dominant. Canada had a bronze medal at the Paralympic Games back in 2016, but they struggled to complete their crew to attempt qualification at the 2019 World Rowing Championships. In the last two years, they have been able to come together and create serious speed. Yet the field behind them was less clear. A cracking repechage race showed just how close it would be between Brazil, the Netherlands and Spain. On the water in the final, Canada used their long slow rhythm to find the advantage. Behind them the challenge was on between Brazil, Spain, the Netherlands and Germany. But Brazil had the race of their lives. They came sprinting to line and managed to take the second spot and the remaining qualification place.

Finishing positions: Canada, Brazil, Spain, Netherlands, Germany, Japan

Laura Court, Canada, PR3Mix4+ : “We’re all super excited that we got the opportunity to do this- just racing again has been amazing. We’ve had challenges over the past year like everybody and we’re super grateful to be here and have this opportunity.”