The opening day of the U19 European Rowing Championships took place in flat but warm conditions, with temperatures rising above 20 degrees throughout the day.
Ireland’s crews faced strong international competition as Europe’s top junior athletes delivered a highly competitive opening day of racing, with fast times recorded across the board.
Junior Men’s Double Sculls (JM2x)
The Junior Men’s Double Sculls featuring Sam Wheeler-O’Brien (Skibbereen Rowing Club) and Harry McCartney (Methodist College Belfast Rowing Club), finished third in their heat this morning against the home favourites Germany. A time of 06:37.59 saw them qualify for Saturday afternoon’s semi-final.
In the semi-final, the double pushed from fifth to fourth and produced a strong sprint finish, but just missed out on qualifying for the A Final, finishing fourth. They will race in tomorrow’s B Final.
B Final: Sunday, 24th May – 8.40 am IST (Lane 4)
Junior Women’s Double Sculls (JW2x)
Holly O’Flynn (Skibbereen Rowing Club) and Gaby Nagle (Fermoy Rowing Club) finished second in their heat of the Junior Women’s Double Sculls, securing automatic qualification for Saturday’s A Final.
The double made a strong push in the second half of the final to finish fifth overall, which sees them progress to Sunday’s B Final.
B Final: Sunday, 24th May – 8.45 am IST (Lane 2)
Junior Men’s Four (JM4-)
The Junior Men’s Four of Conal Gillard (Lee Rowing Club), Darragh Collins (Athlone Boat Club), Henrikas Janisionis (Lee Rowing Club) and Emmett Villing (Neptune Rowing Club) finished fifth in their heat.
The crew sat fourth through the opening 1000 metres in a close battle with Italy and Switzerland. However, a strong push from the Individual Neutral Athletes saw the Rowing Ireland crew finish fifth, qualifying for tomorrow’s B Final.
B Final: Sunday, 24th May – 8.50 am IST (Lane 4)
Junior Men’s Pair (JM2-)
The Junior Men’s Pair of Mattias Cogan (Skibbereen Rowing Club) and Evan O’Byrne (St Michael’s Rowing Club) finished third in their heat. Their time of 06:53.45 qualified them for Sunday’s A Final.
The Rowing Ireland crew held second place until the final 500 metres, before a late push from the Individual Neutral Athletes moved them into third.
A Final: Sunday, 24th May – 10.00 am IST (Lane 1)
Rowing Ireland would like to congratulate all athletes on a competitive opening day of racing and wish all crews the very best for tomorrow’s finals.
