The Irish four won a bronze medal in the Legs, Trunk and Arms, LTA Mix 4+ event.
Team manager Joe Cunningham, reacting to the win, said, “We are delighted with this result bearing in mind it was our first time sending adaptive crews to a FISA regatta. Overall, the regatta was a great success for Ireland and will springboard us to greater things. We have now acquired valuable data about our boat speed, rigging and strapping for future international outings.”
In the fours event there were 5 crews: France, Germany, Great Britain, Ireland and Poland. Germany and Great Britain went ahead of the field with Ireland in a solid third. Poland and France were racing for fourth. As the race progressed, the leading crews opened a length of clear water over the Irish who in turn had a similar margin over the crews behind. Great Britain took gold with GER a length behind in silver. Despite a hiccup approaching the line, the Irish crew held on to secure an historic bronze, one length ahead of the Poles.
Over in the doubles event there were 6 crews: FR, ISR, GBR, POL, ISR2 and IRL. IRL went out fast and settled into third at 250 metres behind GBR and POL. At 500 metres the Irish crew had slipped to fifth one length behind FRA and ISR1. Approaching the finish, despite a hard fight, ISR2 rowed through them. GDR took gold, POL silver, ISR1 bronze with IRL sixth.
Pictured below are Ireland's adaptive rowing crew which won a bronze medal at the Rowing World Cup in Munich last weekend - L - R Emer Patten, Shane Ryan, Kevin du Toit,Sarah Caffrey and Laura Purdy (cox).jpg
