Flat Water - Fast Times

The World Championships at Poznan, Poland - Links being added  WORLD BEST TIME FOR MAHE IN THE M1X  (Updated Monday) -

Rob will follow the finals and report on Twitter from here.

Finals  Images HERE

Semi final Images HERE

Post Race Interview with Mahe by RQ 

4 Gold, 0 Silver, 1 Bronze, 2 4ths, 1 5th, 2 7ths, 1 9th 

New Zealand take 2nd place on the final points table for the Championships 

Well a great end for the NZL team.  The medai were concerned at the loss of our experienced athletes but the regatta has shown that we now have a base developing below the elite pyramid and they are able to step up to the mark.  With a home crowd behind them next year at Karapiro will be awesome. 

Day 8

The LM2x must have rowed their perfect race finishing just .6 of a second out side a world best time.  Once they hit the lead at the 600 meter point the only threat came from the Polish crew. at the 1500 they were underrating POL and moving as fast so they clearly had the reserves to repulse any final attack. 

LM2x Final A-1st. NZL-6:10.62: 2nd. FRA-6:12.57: 3rd. ITA-6:15.08: 4th. GER-6:20.29: 5th. CAN-6:23.08: 6th. GBR-6:23.95

Duncan Grant sneaked away under the cover of lane 1 and while the semifinal winners eyeballed each other in the favoured centre lanes NZL held firm and drew away from GRE and DEN to take the word title again.  SO you can win from the outside lanes!

LM1x Final A-1st. NZL-6:50.78: 2nd. GRE-6:52.33: 3rd. DEN-6:56.25: 4th. JPN-6:59.25: 5th. HUN-7:01.85: 6th. BRA-7:03.67

Day 7:

The B finals provided a "win " for the Womens Double and the Womens Quad giving them a 7th placing overall while the Mens 4- ( the under 23's) finished 3rd for and overall placing of 9th. The Womens double showed real character in a tight race all the way to win the sprint to the line. Less than a second covered the first 3 place holders

W2x Final A-1st. NZL-6:58.70: 2nd. GER-6:58.82: 3rd. FIN-6:59.51: 4th. DEN-7:03.49: 5th. UKR-7:04.17: 6th. BLR-7:08.11

M4- Final A-1st. GER-5:50.98: 2nd. ESP-5:52.55: 3rd. NZL-5:53.64: 4th. GRE-5:56.32: 5th. POL-5:57.53: 6th. CRO-6:02.43

W4x Final A-1st. NZL-6:31.77: 2nd. BLR-6:37.27

This was a day that promised much but did not deliver the hoped for results.  The W2- will be very disappointed as will the mens double.  Emma - the youngest in her race continues to improve and will have her day.

Mahe knew he had a race on his hands from the gun when GBR screamed out of the blocks.  With his long style NZL clawed the deficit back and moved ahead in the 3rd quarter.  GBR mounted a huge charge in the final250 but Mahe held his cool and responded just when he had to to keep the lead.  Conditions in the second half were rough.

M1x Final A-1st. NZL-6:33.35: 2nd. GBR-6:34.30: 3rd. CZE-6:38.53: 4th. BEL-6:44.59: 5th. GER-6:48.09: 6th. NOR-7:02.82

Emma got herself in the mix in what was described by one commentator as one of the finest Womens Single sculls races he had ever seen.  At one point NZL headed BLR bu then Karsten just took off and in the space of a couple of hundred meters went from 4th to 1st absolutley killing of a gutsy performance by the newbie on the block in the single Katherine Grainger.  A great race and a worthy 4th placing in such a class field.

W1x Final A-1st. BLR-7:11.78: 2nd. GBR-7:13.57: 3rd. CZE-7:16.22: 4th. NZL-7:16.73: 5th. CHN-7:20.82: 6th. RUS-7:30.00

The Boys in the double left themselves too much to do in the second half of the race.  To get up to the medals after being so far back at the 1000 was a huge ask but they only just failed to get there.
M2x Final A-1st. GER-6:07.02: 2nd. FRA-6:07.82: 3rd. EST-6:07.86: 4th. NZL-6:08.87: 5th. SLO-6:15.10: 6th. SRB-6:15.52

The mens pair was the titanic struggle it was expected to be between NZL and GBR.  As in the past the NZL got the faster start and while they enjoyed a healthy (comparatively) lead at the 1000 they dug deep to hold of GBR who have clearly made great progress over the last few weeks

M2- Final A-1st. NZL-6:15.93: 2nd. GBR-6:17.45: 3rd. GRE-6:23.01: 4th. FRA-6:24.69: 5th. USA-6:33.16: 6th. RSA-6:38.06

This was never going to be a straight forward race and with a slower start than the rest of the field the NZL crew were always playing catch up.  While their base strength has served them well in the past ROU managed to control the early part of the race from AUS and NZL.  USA came on in the second half and was leading by the 1500 sneaking through to take gols.
W2- Final A-1st. USA-7:06.28: 2nd. ROU-7:06.64: 3rd. NZL-7:06.94: 4th. GER-7:08.28: 5th. AUS-7:09.25: 6th. GBR-7:10.47

Robin made a good start and was 3rd at the halfway point but faded in the 3rd quarter to finish 5th.  A great effort by our first Adaptive rowing representative,
ASM1x  Final A-1st. GBR-4:51.48: 2nd. UKR-5:07.37: 3rd. AUS-5:12.11: 4th. USA-5:14.77: 5th. NZL-5:16.67: 6th. ITA-5:20.19

Day 6:

GER led the way in the LM2x with NZL in close attendance.  NZL changed gear at 750 and eased passed GER with GBR closing.  They kept clear of GBR in the 3rd quarter and were able to defend the lead against a fast finishing GER who got up to overtake GBR before the line.

LM2x  1-3 to Final A-1st. NZL-6:43.74: 2nd. GER-6:45.24: 3rd. GBR-6:46.97: 4th. SRB-6:50.55: 5th. CUB-6:51.64: 6th. POR-7:03.81

GRE started fast and nobody could catch him. ITA initially tried and died away, NZL tried and faded then JPN tried and had no luck.  NZL looked in real danger of not making the A final but squeaked in with a 3rd placing so will start in a less favoured outside lane on sunday.
LM1x  1-3 to Final A-1st. GRE-7:23.12: 2nd. JPN-7:25.07: 3rd. NZL-7:27.05: 4th. RSA-7:34.61: 5th. ITA-7:35.60: 6th. GBR-7:40.02

In the C Finals of the LM4- the Kiwis made a cracking start and held 2nd place through the first 1000 meters.  AUS were always on their heels and they pushed through the Kiwis by the 1500 - more pressure came from the BEL combination towards the end and the Kiwis finished in 4th place for a final ranking of 16th. GBR the winners were never threatened.
LM4- C Final-1st. GBR-6:42.09: 2nd. AUS-6:43.91: 3rd. BEL-6:44.59: 4th. NZL-6:45.65: 5th. CHI-6:58.00: 6th. RUS-6:58.19

Day 5:

Mahe took this race by the skruff of the neck from the first stroke and was never headed.  The rest of the field were left in his wake to battle for the other placings in the A final.  BEL made a late run at him but his long stroke was never hurried
M1x 1-3 to A FInal-1st. NZL-6:46.21: 2nd. BEL-6:48.37: 3rd. GER-6:49.09: 4th. SWE-6:52.01: 5th. ARG-6:56.39: 6th. CUB-6:57.39

Good performance by Emma Twigg in the 1st semi final.  With 2 of the favourites along side her she was in a tough race but she safely qualified for the A final with a 3rd place after the leading three cleared out from the rest of the field

W1x 1-3 to A FInal-1st. CZE-7:32.90: 2nd. BLR-7:35.11: 3rd. NZL-7:40.00: 4th. SWE-7:44.58: 5th. GER-7:58.21: 6th. EST-7:59.95

The U23's realy took to the field and can be well pleasd with their effort in a class field to get within 4 secs of GBR at the finish.  They started slowly and gradually worked their way through the field  but the experienced SLO crew managed to hold them at bay over the final 500
M4- 1-3 to A FInal-1st. GBR-6:00.17: 2nd. FRA-6:01.87: 3rd. SLO-6:02.64: 4th. NZL-6:04.37: 5th. GER-6:05.37: 6th. CRO-6:24.77

Cohen and Trott will be fired up after this race which saw them led all the way by GER.  Their usual finish was not enough to take them to 1st place but they are in the final and are in the ball park.
M2x 1-3 to A FInal-1st. GER-6:18.97: 2nd. NZL-6:19.51: 3rd. EST-6:20.83: 4th. SUI-6:22.65: 5th. POL-6:26.68: 6th. CUB-6:27.38

The women's double were never on the pace with the fast starting trio of POL, CZE and USA.  These 3 crews cleared out to sort them selves out to leave NZL as the best of the rest.  They will race the B Final
W2x 1-3 to A FInal-1st. POL-6:57.76: 2nd. USA-7:00.81: 3rd. BUL-7:03.73: 4th. NZL-7:07.18: 5th. FIN-7:08.22: 6th. DEN-7:13.52

Mens Pair made no mistakes making the semi look easy with a 5 second win and a faster time than GBR in the first Semi
M2- 1-3 to A FInal-1st. NZL-6:29.86: 2nd. FRA-6:34.76: 3rd. USA-6:36.88: 4th. CAN-6:40.46: 5th. GER-6:44.79: 6th. CUB-6:47.42

The Womens Pair made a slow start and were led through the first 500.  They stamped their authority by the 1000 and were never threatened after that.
W2- 1-3 to A FInal-1st. NZL-7:24.63: 2nd. GBR-7:28.36: 3rd. GER-7:33.88: 4th. FRA-7:36.89: 5th. CHN-7:37.42: 6th. BLR-7:41.38

The Mens Lightweight 4 safely qualified for their C Final tomorrow with a 2nd place behind AUS
LM4- Semi C/D 1-3 to Final C-1st. AUS-6:21.44: 2nd. NZL-6:25.67: 3rd. CHI-6:26.47: 4th. INA-6:34.66

Day 4:

Both the Mens Lightweight 4 and the womens Quad failed to fire in the hot bed of the repechages.  The Four were never in the hunt for one of the 2 remaining spots up for grabs in the Semifinals A/B, instead they will be first up tomorrow for a place in the C or D final.  The Womens Quad set out meaning business but were unable to sustain the initial pace and slipped gradually back to 5th place missing an A final by one place.  They will contest the B final

LM4- Rep 2 1-2 to Semis A/B-1st. FRA-6:00.83: 2nd. USA-6:02.93: 3rd. GBR-6:03.67: 4th. NZL-6:05.82: 5th. RUS-6:15.72: 6th. INA-6:24.13

W4x Rep 1-4 to Final A-1st. GER-6:22.22: 2nd. GBR-6:28.59: 3rd. ITA-6:29.27: 4th. RUS-6:30.83: 5th. NZL-6:35.81: 6th. BLR-6:40.54

A 7 minute video interview with Mahe Here on the FISA site

Race times for all races that NZL could be represented in. As the Semis and reps pan out I will show the actual schedule of NZL races:

Day 3:

Only one race involving NZL tonight.  Mens 4- repechage at 10:24 pm NZ time

In a race that showed the crew had real character the NZL 4 fought back to win a very tight race.  Caught by GRE between 1000 and 1500 a stunning final 500 saw them take the win.  Lesss than 3 secs covered the first 4 with only 3 to qualify.

M4- Rep 2 1-3 to Semis A/B-1st. NZL-6:18.68: 2nd. GRE-6:19.03: 3rd. FRA-6:20.32: 4th. UKR-6:21.15: 5th. IND-6:39.74

Day 2:

W4x appear to be having a steady state piece for their race. They were 5 secs don on the rest of the field at the 500 and finished 4th, 6 secs down on the rest of the field.  Clearly not wanting to show their hand they will race for a finals spot in the repechage.

W4x Heat 2 - 1 to Final A-1st. USA-7:00.36: 2nd. ITA-7:07.39: 3rd. RUS-7:15.86: 4th. NZL-7:21.27

 LM4-  held 3rd place for the first 1500 meters but the Canadians rowed through them in the final 500.  With the 1st 2 to qualify directly perhaps they wanted a 4th place for the repechage draw.  The Canadians made up 5 secs in the 500:

LM4- Heat 3 - 1 -2 to Semi A/B-1st. DEN-6:36.57: 2nd. JPN-6:38.70: 3rd. CAN-6:44.06: 4th. NZL-6:48.26: 5th. INA-7:15.71

 The LM2x had a start to finish win in their heat and qualify directly for the A/B Semifinals:

LM2x Heat 1 - 1 -2 to Semi A/B-1st. NZL-7:12.84: 2nd. GRE-7:15.57: 3rd. RSA-7:20.18: 4th. DEN-7:22.56: 5th. USA-7:46.50

Robin Tinga leads the way with a win in heat 2 of the ASM1x.  He qualifies directly to the A final.  Clearly on the pace for the first half he did not need to push himself over the second half and recorded a 12 second win.  GBR, the favorite won heat 1:

ASM1x Heat 1 - 1 to Finals A-1st. NZL-6:12.59: 2nd. ESP-6:24.86: 3rd. ITA-6:36.34: 4th. RUS-6:46.16: 5th. GER-6:59.35: 6th. BLR-7:18.94

Day 1:

M1x The fast starting Cuban led Mahe through the 500 but Mahe had reversed the position by the 1000  and finished untroubled, progressing directly to the A/B semi finals.

M1x Heat 3 - 1 to Semis A/B-1st. NZL-6:57.12: 2nd. CUB-7:01.80: 3rd. GRE-7:04.96: 4th. RSA-7:12.38: 5th. IRL-7:14.27: 6th. IND-7:23.06

W1x Emma finished a comfortable 2nd to qualify directly for the A/B semi finals.  Well clear of GER in 3rd she was able to relax over the final 500.

W1x Heat 2 - 1-2 to Semis A/B-1st. CHN-7:42.78: 2nd. NZL-7:51.04: 3rd. GER-7:54.66: 4th. BEL-7:56.27: 5th. UKR-8:06.36: 6th. KOR-8:25.02

M4- Confident start by the boys after their gold at the Under 23's.  Holding 3rd place over the course they closed down on the 2nd place GER in the final 500.  Will proceed to the reps to qualify.

M4- Heat 3 - 1-2 to Semis A/B-1st. AUS-5:57.83: 2nd. GER-5:59.54: 3rd. NZL-6:00.36: 4th. BLR-6:12.58: 5th. IND-6:25.01

The crew led through 1000 but were overtaken by FRA.  They progress directly to Semis A/B

 M2x Heat 3 - 1-2 to Semis A/B-1st. FRA-6:20.56: 2nd. NZL-6:23.06: 3rd. SRB-6:31.04: 4th. BLR-6:34.95: 5th. EGY-6:40.52: 6th. KAZ-6:53.39

W2x Steady start by NZL 1st 3 to Semis A/B they finished 3rd doing just what is required for qualify.

W2x Heat 3-1st. POL-7:05.24: 2nd. CZE-7:09.88: 3rd. NZL-7:13.97: 4th. DEN-7:20.43

M2- NZL made no mistakes in this heat winning by 9 seconds from RSA, who they beat at Henley, and CAN.  1st 3 qualify directly for the Semis A/B
M2- Heat 3-1st. NZL-6:31.29: 2nd. RSA-6:40.16: 3rd. CAN-6:42.74: 4th. POL-6:47.33:

W2-  good win for the pair who led all the way but were probed and tested in the final 500 by their greatest threat the Roumanians - 1st 3 qualify for Semi A/B
W2- Heat 1-1st. NZL-7:17.36: 2nd. ROU-7:19.47: 3rd. ARG-7:26.01: 4th. NED-7:33.73: 5th. UKR-7:40.13

LM1x - a confidence boosting performance  for current Champions Grant winning in the fastest time of the morning.  Only the winner qualified directly for the Semis A/B
LM1x Heat 4-1st. NZL-7:05.72: 2nd. CHI-7:14.90: 3rd. IRI-7:19.91: 4th. HKG-7:25.78: 5th. IND-7:33.03: 6th. UZB-7:38.76

Order of Racing for all 12 NZL Crews in the Heats:

The Events that interest us with heats on Sunday are:

LM1x, W2-, M2-, W2x, M2x, M4-, W1x and M1x.  so this should provide a busy night on the net for some - Rob has said he hopes to provide a twitter feed of the main information (see the link on the front page) The window of racing for NZL crews is 8:06 to 11:06 pm NZ time

Mondays heats will see the remaining crews in action:

LM4-, LM2x, W4x, AM1x  (7:50 to 10:30pm)

If you check out the Mystic Worlds prediction site you will see who the favourites are and how hot (or not) the NZL crews are. Why not have a go yourself?