The men’s lightweight pair of Niall Kenny and Mark O’Donovan were in sixth position off the blocks. In the first start the French who were in the lane beside the Irish got off too early and a false start declared, they fought hard the whole way down the course. In the end the Swiss came in first with the French three seconds behind in second place and the Australians third. The Irish came sixth in a time of 6:46:40.
The final race of the day for the Irish featured Paul O’Donovan in the Men’s lightweight single scull, an event that Ireland has thrived at over the years with three Gold medals in this event. O’Donovan was in sixth place off the start and little by little fought back to achieve third placing by 1000m. He stormed through in the last 500m and battled with Miani from Italy, Ward from Australia and Zhao from China. With less than 3 seconds separating first to fourth, O’Donovan pulled through to second place with his renowned surge in the last 300m gaining him a place in the A final tomorrow at 15:45 Irish time.
Two challenging races have taken place so far for our crews at the World Rowing Championships in Amsterdam. In the A semi-final of the women’s pair Leonora Kennedyand Lisa Dilleen were in third place off the blocks with USA in first and Australia second. By 1000m they were holding their fourth place and kept the pressure on until 1500m. In the final 500m they dropped to fifth place following a surge by the USA, New Zealand and Australia. A well fought race by the Irish pair in a challenging event. They will be very disappointed to go into the B final but are positive about going forward to challenge the opposition. They will race on Saturday at 10:33.
The women’s lightweight double of Claire Lambe and Denise Walsh raced next in a four boat C/D Semi Final. It was a close race the whole way with little more than a length between the Danish, the Irish and the Russian crews with the Argentinians behind for most of the race. In the last 500m it was bow ball for bow ball with all three top crews fighting for a better place. The final result Denmark first (7:25:98), Ireland second (7:26:35) and Russia third (7:26:65). They will now race in the C Final on Friday at 10:01.
Tomorrow the following crew’s will race:
Women’s 4- B final 12:23
Men’s lightweight 2- B final 12:37
Men’s lightweight 1X A final 15:45
Women’s lightweight double C final 10:01
Women’s scull semi-final 14:35
Women’s double scull semi-final 13:35
