Racing rapped up for Ireland yesterday with the Women’s Double A Final, as well as the C Finals for the Men’s Scull and Double and the Women’s Scull.

The Women’s Double of Zoe Hyde (Killorglin RC) and Sanita Puspure (Old Collegians) pulled a blinder of a race to win a bronze medal. There wasn’t a stroke that the crew from Ireland could ease up on, as they sat almost side by side with the Austrian double throughout the entire race. Breaking into the final 500m, only .43 of a second separated the crews, and depending on the last sprint, it was anyone’s medal. Zoe and Sanita took it by the horns and finished with the fastest 500m split of all the crews in that final quarter, securing them that third place finish. They finished up the Championships for Ireland on a high adding another medal to the tally.

University of Galway rower, Brian Colsh, was first up today racing the Men’s Scull C Final. Ireland stayed in second position for the majority of the race but a strong second half from the Lithuanian sculler, Mindaugas Griskonis, got him ahead and into that second place spot. Brian finished third ranking him 15th in the world in his Senior World Championship debut. Out of a field of 35 scullers, it is an impressive result from the young sculler.

Alison Bergin (Fermoy RC) put her incredibly strong finish on show yet again in her C Final of the Women’s Scull this morning. Coming into the last 250m, Alison was rating the highest, reaching 42 strokes per minute at the line. Pulling through the Slovenian sculler in the last quarter of the race, Alison finished in fifth position. It’s 17th in the World for Bergin, and with another two years eligible for U23 level, she is most definitely one to watch.

Phil Doyle (Belfast BC) and Konan Pazzaia (Queens University Belfast BC) won the C Final of the Men’s Double, leading from the start. Through the first marker, the crew from Ireland had already gained a substantial lead on the rest of the crews. They continued to increase this lead and finished almost three seconds ahead of Lithuania in second position.

Rowing Ireland CEO, Michelle Carpenter said: “I am so proud of our team lead by our High Performance Director, Antonio Maurogiovanni, with our HP coaches, our athletes, all our staff, board and the clubs who produce these amazing athletes and coaches. To be ranked seventh on the medal table among rowing greats is a phenomenal achievement. Everyone involved and supporting Rowing Ireland today should stand proud. Thank you to our amazing supporters Sport Ireland, Sport NI, OFI and our loyal sponsors as we head towards qualifications next year and Paris.”

Ireland Results

  • LM2x A Final – GOLD
  • PR2 W1x A Final – GOLD
  • LW2x A Final – BRONZE
  • W2x A Final – BRONZE
  • PR2 Mix2x A Final – 5th
  • W4- A Final – 6th
  • W2- B Final – 2nd
  • M4- B Final – 2nd
  • LW1x B Final – 3rd
  • M2x C Final – 1st
  • M1x C Final – 3rd
  • W1x C Final – 5th
  • LM1x D Final – 3rd