Zoe Hyde and Mags Cremen produced the performance of Ireland’s day at the World Rowing Championships in Amsterdam, winning their Women’s Double Sculls semi-final in an excellent 7:09.17 to book their place in the World Championship A Final later in the week.
Having already won their opening heat, the Irish double stepped up again when the stakes increased. They crossed 2.81 seconds clear of Italy, with Poland taking the third qualifying position, to move into the medal race with two victories behind them and growing momentum.
Whilst they’ve still a significant race to come, Hyde and Cremen have done everything asked of them so far. Championship rowing is about repeatedly earning the right to race again. They have done considerably more than survive the rounds they have controlled them.
Murtagh Safely Through
In windy conditions, reigning World Champion Fiona Murtagh also secured automatic progression in the Women’s Single Sculls, finishing second in her heat in 8:01.80, just 0.82 seconds behind the South African sculler.
The clock offered only part of the story. Great Britain’s Lauren Henry – unbeaten in nine races this season – recorded 7:54.69 in her heat, while Olympic champion Karolien Florijn finished in 8:10.56. Murtagh’s task was not to win a World Championship in the opening round; it was to secure her quarter-final place without unnecessary drama – and she did exactly that.
It sets up another fascinating chapter in one of the strongest events of these Championships. Murtagh won last year’s world title by just 0.03 seconds from Henry, while Paris Olympic champion Florijn of the Netherlands is back racing internationally and doing so on home water. The semi finals will be possibly the toughest races of the championships.
McCarthy’s New Challenge Continues
Fintan McCarthy also progressed comfortably, finishing second in his opening race in the Men’s Single Sculls.
The double Olympic lightweight champion is navigating very different territory in Amsterdam. Moving into the open-weight single brings new opponents, different physical demands and, psychologically, the challenge of being highly accomplished while simultaneously learning again. His opening objective was simple: progress. Job done.
Pairs Experience Both Sides of Championship Racing
For Imogen Magner and Natalie Long, there will be a B Final after they finished fifth in their Women’s Pair semi-final in 7:41.74.
Romania were emphatic winners in 7:20.94, ahead of Chile and Italy, with the Irish pair finishing just 1.18 seconds behind New Zealand in fourth. An A Final proved beyond reach today, but another World Championship race remains.
Ross Corrigan and Nathan Timoney, meanwhile, finished their Championships with a response. Disappointed with their opening performance, the Men’s Pair produced a big finish to take second behind the USA in their C Final and 14th overall.
Momentum Building
There is still a long way to go in Amsterdam, but today moved Ireland another step forward.
Hyde and Cremen are into an A Final having won both races they have contested. Murtagh continues the defence of her world title. McCarthy’s intriguing transition into open-weight sculling continues. Magner and Long have another opportunity in the B Final.
At a World Championships, the pressure increases with every round. For Ireland, there are still plenty of reasons to be looking forward.
Photo Credit: Conor Lyall.
