Mounting pressure to keep Olympic dreams alive in Lucerne

The compacted schedule got underway at 9.00 CET in Lucerne with the first Semifinals to determine the all-important final races at the Olympic Qualification Regatta. It was the calm before the storm with flat water and cloudy skies over Lake Rotsee.

Men’s pair (M2-) – Semifinal

The Danish went out fastest in the first Semifinal of the men’s pair, crossing 500m in a blistering 1:37.97. But the British were not content to stay there. They raised their rate in the middle portion of the race to push back on Denmark and take the lead. Denmark was in that second position followed by Russia. Germany had a sluggish start, but they were not willing to settle outside of the Final. In the final 500m Germany came storming through to overtake Russia and grab the third spot into the Final.

It was no surprise to see the Dutch out to the lead off the start in Semifinal 2, but in the first 500m they did not match the speed of the Danish in the first Semifinal. The Netherlands settled into their rhythm and solidified their lead through the middle of the race, looking smooth into the sprint. The United States slotted into the second spot, with Poland, Chile and Slovenia charging hard behind them. Into the final sprint, Poland decided they needed to go. They put on more power and moved past Chile and Slovenia. Across the line the Netherlands, the United States and Poland would be safely through to the Final.

Final qualifiers: Great Britain, Denmark, Germany, Netherlands, United States, Poland

Men’s double sculls (M2x) – Semifinal

It was a relatively spread field in the first Semifinal of the men’s double sculls. The new combination of the former lightweight Jan Cincibuch together with the powerhouse Jacob Podrazil from the Czech Republic seems to be paying dividends. They were able to control the race from the front of the field. Serbia established themselves in the second position. Behind them there was a tussle for the third position. Spain got the better of it to secure their spot in the Final and keep their Olympic dreams alive.

In the second semifinal of the men’s double sculls, Russia and Australia went off the line together. The Australians are competing for the first time internationally in this combination and they have had a good event so far. In the middle of the race the two crews rated the same, but Russia found just slightly better boat speed to pull ahead. Behind them, Italy was challenging Norway, but it seemed that the Italians had it under control. Rating much lower, they gently kept their bowball ahead of Norway.

Final qualifiers: Czech Republic, Serbia, Spain, Russia, Australia, Italy

Men’s four (M4-) – Semifinals

A storming race in the first semifinal of the men’s four. The Canadians tried to stay out of the fray by getting out early and staying ahead. The French went with them and the entire field behind them went into overdrive. All crews up over 40 strokes per minute at the 1000m mark to try to ensure they claimed the third spot into the Final. Belarus and Croatia absolutely went for it. China tried to stay with the field, but got left behind as the speeds increased. Across the line, Canada maintained their lead, followed by France and Belarus through to the Final.

Semifinal 2 was no disappointment either. South Africa also tried to stay out of the tussle by claiming the lead early-on in the race. But behind them it was intense. Austria, Ukraine and Germany were all desperately racing for a spot in the Final. As they came through the middle of the race, Germany just fell off the back of the pack. Ukraine powered up to close on Austria who was in turn closing on South Africa. Coming to the line, it was Germany who would miss out.

Final Qualifiers: Canada, France, Belarus, South Africa, Austria, Ukraine

Men’s single sculls (M1x) – Semifinals

 The men’s single sculls had the highest number of entries in Lucerne and it was being whittled down to the final six. In Semifinal 1, it was Russia’s Alexander Vyazovkin who got out the fastest. Vyazovkin finished second at the European Qualification Regatta, but due to the qualification system, found himself here again trying to qualify. But behind him was a tight battle. It was Bulgaria’s Kristian Vasilev and Belarus’ Pilip Pavukou who were challenging hard. Vasilev decided he wanted the better lane and pushed ahead of Pavukou to secure his spot.

All eyes were on Poland’s Natan Wegrzycki-Szymczyk in Semifinal 2 of the men’s single sculls. He comes into this event with the best pedigree, including a 7^th place finish at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games. But the young Trevor Jones from Canada was not willing to let Wegrzycki-Szymczyk have open water. Staying right on his bowball, Jones navigated the middle section of the race. It was Romania’s Mihai Chiruta and Ireland’s Daire Lynch who would have to work for it. The sprint from Ireland pushed Romania and Canada even closer to Poland as they came up to the line. Unfortunately, it was too little too late for Lynch, who would miss out on a Final spot.

Final qualifiers: Russia, Bulgaria, Belarus, Poland, Canada, Romania

Lightweight women’s double sculls (LW2x) – Semifinal

The first half of the race was so tight in Semifinal 1 of the lightweight women’s double sculls. The United States, Ireland, China, Denmark and Greece crossed the 500m mark in one line. But the middle of the race allowed the United States to stretch out their lead ahead of the field. Who would go with them? It was Ireland and Denmark with China just hanging on. But that would shift again as the crews came into the final sprint. Denmark lost their power. Ireland took it up and starting to pull toward the United States. Through the line, the United States, Ireland and China had done enough to secure a spot in the Final.

Semifinal 2 was also a tight race in the lightweight women’s double sculls with a home-favourite crew from Switzerland racing. The Swiss were not at the front though as the crews came through the middle stages of the race. Poland had claimed that spot, but Switzerland, Australia and Germany were all charging hard. With some cowbell cheering the Swiss picked it up in the sprint and overtook the leading Polish. Australia shook off the Germans to claim the third spot into the Final.

Final Qualifiers: United States, Ireland, China, Switzerland, Poland, Australia

Lightweight men’s double sculls – Semifinal

The Swiss were at it again in the first Semifinal of the lightweight men’s double sculls. They got off to a quick start together with the Czech Republic. The Czech Republic used their rhythm through the middle of the race to pick up some ground on the field. Denmark, France and Switzerland were hot on their tails. Coming into the final sprint, the Danish seemed to lose their speed, while the French put on a massive sprint. Switzerland just held on to their third position to make it into the final.

Semifinal 2 saw a very quick start from Canada. They wanted to get out front and stay there and they established that with a good middle 1000m of the race. China did just enough to stay behind them and ahead of Australia who were keeping their eyes on Austria. Into the final sprint, Canada and China looked safe out in front, while Australia sprinted to stay ahead of Austria.

Final qualifiers: Czech Republic, France, Switzerland, Canada, China, Australia