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#Rowing: Ireland’s Aifric Keogh and Emily Hegarty finished third in the women’s pair B Final as the rain came down at the World Cup Regatta in Belgrade. The racing for the day had been brought forward because of the forecast of storms and as this last race progressed the bad weather swept in. Poland had taken the lead early and not yielded it. Keogh and Hegarty also slotted into a spot, third, and despite changes in the order, they finished there, closing up fast on second-placed China Three coming to the line.    

 Monika Dukarska and Aileen Crowley also took third in the B Final of the women’s double, placing ninth overall. France, Switzerland and Ireland moved away from the field early on and crossed the line in that order.

 The Ireland lightweight double of Denise Walsh and Margaret Cremen took sixth in their B Final, 12th overall. The were off the pace in a race won by Canada.  

World Cup Regatta, Belgrade, Day Three (Irish interest)

Men

Lightweight Double Sculls – A Final: 1 Poland 6:13.04, 2 Belgium 6:14.09, 3 (G O’Donovan, P O’Donovan) 6:14.10; 4 Canada Two 6:17.27, 5 Austria 6:17.32, 6 Switzerland Two 6:23.87.

Women

Pair – B Final: 1 Poland 7:14.30; 3 Ireland (A Keogh, E Hegarty) 7:16.37.

Double Sculls – B Final: 1 France 6:58.86; 3 Ireland (A Crowley, M Dukarska) 7:03.79.

Lightweight Double Sculls – B Final: 1 Canada 6:55.88; 6 Ireland (M Cremen, D Walsh) 7:07.77.

Single Sculls – A Final: 1 Switzerland (J Gmelin) 7:22.78, 2 Ireland (S Puspure) 7:25.30, 3 Austria (M Lobnig) 7:25.51; 4 Germany 7:27.84, 5 Britain 7:27.93, 6 Denmark 7:31.96.

Published in Rowing
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#Rowing: Sanita Puspure took an excellent silver medal at the World Cup Regatta in Belgrade this morning. Jeanine Gmelin of Switzerland took the gold with a commanding performance, overtaking early leader Magdalena Lobnig of Austria by halfway.

 Puspure raced well, taking a clear third place by the closing stages and then beating Lobnig in a battle for the silver.

World Cup Regatta, Belgrade, Day Three (Irish interest)

Men

Lightweight Double Sculls – A Final: 1 Poland 6:13.04, 2 Belgium 6:14.09, 3 (G O’Donovan, P O’Donovan) 6:14.10; 4 Canada Two 6:17.27, 5 Austria 6:17.32, 6 Switzerland Two 6:23.87.

Women

Single Sculls – A Final: 1 Switzerland (J Gmelin) 7:22.78,

2 Ireland (S Puspure) 7:25.30

3 Austria (M Lobnig) 7:25.51; 4 Germany 7:27.84, 5 Britain 7:27.93, 6 Denmark 7:31.96.

Published in Rowing

#Rowing: Ireland’s Paul O’Donovan and Gary O’Donovan took a bronze medal at the World Cup Regatta in Belgrade this morning. The A Final of the lightweight double was tight and had an exciting finish. Ireland started well, but Poland took the lead and held it through to the 1500 metres mark, with Ireland, Austria and Belgium exerting pressure. The Irish moved in the final 500 metres – but so did Poland. Jerzy Kowalski and Milosz Jankowski drove for the line and won. Belgium caught the Irish and passed them on the line. The took the silver by one hundredth of a second.  

World Cup Regatta, Belgrade, Day Three (Irish interest)

Men

Lightweight Double Sculls – A Final: 1 Poland 6:13.04, 2 Belgium 6:14.09, 3 (G O’Donovan, P O’Donovan) 6:14.10; 4 Canada Two 6:17.27, 5 Austria 6:17.32, 6 Switzerland Two 6:23.87.

Published in Rowing

#Rowing: Paul O’Donovan and Gary O’Donovan brought Ireland a second A Final place at the World Cup Regatta in Belgrade as they won their semi-final of the lightweight double sculls. The Skibbereen men moved through the early leaders to lead by halfway and they held the lead to the finish, though Poland closed to within a second on the line. Belgium held off the Czech Republic to take third.  

 Denise Walsh and Margaret Cremen finished sixth in the second semi-final of the women’s lightweight double. The United States won the race from Switzerland and the Netherlands. The Ireland crew found it hard to make an impression and held sixth from early on.

 Sanita Puspure had taken her place in the A Final of the women’s single sculls with second place in her semi-final.

World Cup Regatta, Belgrade, Day Two (Irish interest)

Men

Pair – C Final (Places 13 to 18): 1 Hungary 6:55.35, 2 Greece 6:57.73, 3 Ireland (M O’Donovan, S O’Driscoll) 6:59.0, 4 South Africa 7:00.22.

Lightweight Double Sculls – Semi-Final Two (Three to A Final; rest to B Final): 1 Ireland (G O’Donovan, P O’Donovan) 6:22.28, 2 Poland 6:22.87, 3 Belgium 6:24.21.

Women

Pair – Semi-Final Two (Three to A Final; rest to B Final): 1 Spain 7:35.18, 2 Denmark 7:35.77, 3 Britain Two 7:39.35; 4 Ireland (A Keogh, E Hegarty) 7:42.60.

Double Sculls – Semi-Final (Three to A Final; rest to B Final): Netherlands 7:16.27, 2 Belarus One 7:18.73, 3 Belarus Two 7:23.46; 4 Ireland (A Crowley, M Dukarska) 7:25.60.

Lightweight Double Sculls - Semi-Final (Three to A Final; rest to B Final): 1 United States One 7:03.73, 2 Switzerland 7:05.94, 3 Netherlands 7:06.04; 6 Ireland (M Cremen, D Walsh) 7:24.87.  

Single Sculls – Semi-Final (Three to A Final; rest to B Final): 1 Denmark (F Erichsen) 7:24.76, 2 Ireland (S Puspure) 7:25.43, 3 Britain (V Thornley) 7:25.78.

Published in Rowing

#Rowing: Sanita Puspure took second in her semi-final and qualified for the A Final of the single sculls at the World Cup regatta in Belgrade, Serbia. Denmark’s Fie-Udby Erichsen took over the lead early and won, with Puspure and Kara Kohler of the United States not far behind as they crossed halfway. However, the anticipated move from Vicky Thornley of Britain upset the order. She pushed up beside Puspure, who held on to second. Kohler missed out and finished fourth.

World Cup Regatta, Belgrade, Day Two (Irish interest)

Men

Pair – C Final (Places 13 to 18): 1 Hungary 6:55.35, 2 Greece 6:57.73, 3 Ireland (M O’Donovan, S O’Driscoll) 6:59.0, 4 South Africa 7:00.22.

Women

Pair – Semi-Final Two (Three to A Final; rest to B Final): 1 Spain 7:35.18, 2 Denmark 7:35.77, 3 Britain Two 7:39.35; 4 Ireland (A Keogh, E Hegarty) 7:42.60.

Double Sculls – Semi-Final (Three to A Final; rest to B Final): Netherlands 7:16.27, 2 Belarus One 7:18.73, 3 Belarus Two 7:23.46; 4 Ireland (A Crowley, M Dukarska) 7:25.60.

Single Sculls – Semi-Final (Three to A Final; rest to B Final): 1 Denmark (F Erichsen) 7:24.76, 2 Ireland (S Puspure) 7:25.43, 3 Britain (V Thornley) 7:25.78.

Published in Rowing

#Rowing: Emily Hegarty and Aifric Keogh took fourth in their semi-final of the women’s pair at the World Cup Regatta in Belgrade. The two UCC women closed hard in the closing stages on Britain Two, but the British crew of Emily Ford and Emily Ashford held on to the third place which sends them to the A Final. Spain won from Denmark.

 The result for the Ireland double of Monika Dukarska and Aileen Crowley was the same. They started well in their semi-final and led to the 500 metre mark. The Netherlands and Belarus One took over and held those places to the end. Belarus Two established themselves in the third qualification spot and Dukarska and Crowley, who finished fast, could not dislodge the second Belarus boat.

 The Ireland pair and double will compete in B Finals.

World Cup Regatta, Belgrade, Day Two (Irish interest)

Men

Pair – C Final (Places 13 to 18): 1 Hungary 6:55.35, 2 Greece 6:57.73, 3 Ireland (M O’Donovan, S O’Driscoll) 6:59.0, 4 South Africa 7:00.22.

Women

Pair – Semi-Final Two (Three to A Final; rest to B Final): 1 Spain 7:35.18, 2 Denmark 7:35.77, 3 Britain Two 7:39.35; 4 Ireland (A Keogh, E Hegarty) 7:42.60.

Double Sculls – Semi-Final (Three to A Final; rest to B Final): Netherlands 7:16.27, 2 Belarus One 7:18.73, 3 Belarus Two 7:23.46; 4 Ireland (A Crowley, M Dukarska) 7:25.60.

Published in Rowing

#Rowing: Mark O’Donovan and Shane O’Driscoll took third place in their C Final of the men’s pair at the World Cup in Belgrade this morning. This was an extraordinary race. Britain Two, South Africa, Ireland and Greece moved as a pack through halfway and the 1500 metres. Greece then took over in the lead, with Ireland also contending. But Hungary, which had hung in sixth and fifth place through most of the 2,000 metres, finished best. They passed the leaders and won, with Greece and Ireland next over the line.

 The placing put O’Donovan and O’Driscoll 15th of the 22 crews which raced.

World Cup Regatta, Belgrade, Day Two (Irish interest)

Men

Pair – C Final (Places 13 to 18): 1 Hungary 6:55.35, 2 Greece 6:57.73, 3 Ireland (M O’Donovan, S O’Driscoll) 6:59.0, 4 South Africa 7:00.22.

Published in Rowing

#Rowing: Mark O’Donovan and Shane O’Driscoll finished third in their repechage and qualified for the C Final of the men’s pair at the World Cup regatta in Belgrade. The first two boats over the line qualified for A/B Semi-Finals, and the Netherlands One, which won well, and Netherlands Two took these spots. O’Donovan and O’Driscoll pushed hard to break into the top two, with a very high rate of striking, but even though they did not do this, their fast finish helped them win a battle with South Africa to take third and secure a place in the C Final (places 13 to 18).

World Cup Regatta, Belgrade (Irish interest)

Men

Pair – Heat Four (Winner to A/B Semi-Finals; rest to repechage): 1 Czech Republic 6:41.22; 2 Spain 6:48.03, 3 China One 6:51.79, 4 Ireland (M O’Donovan, S O’Driscoll) 6:51.91. Repechage Three (First Two to A/B Semi-Finals; third to C Final; rest to C or D Final): 1 Netherlands One 6:48.68, 2 Netherlands Two 6:50.07; 3 Ireland 6:51.82.

Lightweight Double Sculls – Heat Three (First two to A/B Semi-Finals; rest to repechage): 1 Canada Two 6:32.69, 2 Ireland (G O’Donovan, P O’Donovan) 6:34.29.

Women

Pair – Heat One (First Three to A/B Semi-Finals; rest to repechage): 1 Britain One 7:19.05, 2 Britain Two 7:22.92, 3 Ireland (A Keogh, E Hegarty) 7:23.77.

Double Sculls – Heat Three (First Three to A/B Semi-Finals; rest to repechage): 1 Netherlands 7:10.90, 2 China One 7:16.89, 3 Ireland (A Crowley, M Dukarska) 7:20.40.

Lightweight Double Sculls – Heat One (First two to A/B Semi-Finals; rest to repechage): 1 Britain One 7:26.96, 2 United States One 7:28.40; 5 Ireland (M Cremen, D Walsh) 7:50.34.

Single Sculls – Heat One (First Two to A/B Semi-Finals; rest to repechage): 1 Ireland (S Puspure) 7:50.48, 2 Ukraine (D Dymchenko) 7:59.30.

Published in Rowing

#Rowing: Paul O’Donovan and Gary O’Donovan secured a semi-final place with second in their heat of the lightweight double sculls at the World Cup regatta in Belgrade. Patrick Keane and Maxwell Lattimer, the Canada Two crew, won the race. They fought off Portugal and then kept Ireland at bay, winning by 1.6 seconds.

World Cup Regatta, Belgrade (Irish interest)

Men

Pair – Heat Four (Winner to A/B Semi-Finals; rest to repechage): 1 Czech Republic 6:41.22; 2 Spain 6:48.03, 3 China One 6:51.79, 4 Ireland (M O’Donovan, S O’Driscoll) 6:51.91.

Lightweight Double Sculls – Heat Three (First two to A/B Semi-Finals; rest to repechage): 1 Canada Two 6:32.69, 2 Ireland (G O’Donovan, P O’Donovan) 6:34.29.

Women

Pair – Heat One (First Three to A/B Semi-Finals; rest to repechage): 1 Britain One 7:19.05, 2 Britain Two 7:22.92, 3 Ireland (A Keogh, E Hegarty) 7:23.77.

Double Sculls – Heat Three (First Three to A/B Semi-Finals; rest to repechage): 1 Netherlands 7:10.90, 2 China One 7:16.89, 3 Ireland (A Crowley, M Dukarska) 7:20.40.

Lightweight Double Sculls – Heat One (First two to A/B Semi-Finals; rest to repechage): 1 Britain One 7:26.96, 2 United States One 7:28.40; 5 Ireland (M Cremen, D Walsh) 7:50.34.

Single Sculls – Heat One (First Two to A/B Semi-Finals; rest to repechage): 1 Ireland (S Puspure) 7:50.48, 2 Ukraine (D Dymchenko) 7:59.30.

Published in Rowing

#Rowing: Denise Walsh and Margaret Cremen finished fifth in their heat of the lightweight double sculls at the World Cup Regatta in Belgrade and must compete in a repechage as they seek a semi-final place. There were just two places on offer in the heat and Britain One and the United States One asserted control early on and took them in that order. Ireland found themselves behind four crews from early on in the race and the order did not change.    

World Cup Regatta, Belgrade (Irish interest)

Men

Pair – Heat Four (Winner to A/B Semi-Finals; rest to repechage): 1 Czech Republic 6:41.22; 2 Spain 6:48.03, 3 China One 6:51.79, 4 Ireland (M O’Donovan, S O’Driscoll) 6:51.91.

Women

Pair – Heat One (First Three to A/B Semi-Finals; rest to repechage): 1 Britain One 7:19.05, 2 Britain Two 7:22.92, 3 Ireland (A Keogh, E Hegarty) 7:23.77.

Double Sculls – Heat Three (First Three to A/B Semi-Finals; rest to repechage): 1 Netherlands 7:10.90, 2 China One 7:16.89, 3 Ireland (A Crowley, M Dukarska) 7:20.40.

Lightweight Double Sculls – Heat One (First two to A/B Semi-Finals; rest to repechage): 1 Britain One 7:26.96, 2 United States One 7:28.40; 5 Ireland (M Cremen, D Walsh) 7:50.34.

Single Sculls – Heat One (First Two to A/B Semi-Finals; rest to repechage): 1 Ireland (S Puspure) 7:50.48, 2 Ukraine (D Dymchenko) 7:59.30.

Published in Rowing
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About The Middle Sea Race

The Rolex Middle Sea Race is a highly rated offshore classic, often mentioned in the same breath as the Rolex Fastnet, The Rolex Sydney–Hobart and Newport-Bermuda as a 'must do' race. The Royal Malta Yacht Club and the Royal Ocean Racing Club co-founded the race in 1968 and 2007 was the 28th Edition. Save for a break between 1984 and 1995 the event has been run annually attracting 25–30 yachts. In recent years, the number of entries has rissen sharply to 68 boats thanks to a new Organising Committee who managed to bring Rolex on board as title sponsor for the Middle Sea Race.

The race is a true challenge to skippers and crews who have to be at their very best to cope with the often changeable and demanding conditions. Equally, the race is blessed with unsurpassed scenery with its course, taking competitors close to a number of islands, which form marks of the course. Ted Turner described the MSR as "the most beautiful race course in the world".

Apart from Turner, famous competitors have included Eric Tabarly, Cino Ricci, Herbert von Karajan, Jim Dolan, Sir Chay Blyth and Sir Francis Chichester (fresh from his round the world adventure). High profile boats from the world's top designers take part, most in pursuit of line honours and the record – competing yachts include the extreme Open 60s, Riviera di Rimini and Shining; the maxis, Mistress Quickly, Zephyrus IV and Sagamore; and the pocket rockets such as the 41-foot J-125 Strait Dealer and the DK46, Fidessa Fastwave.

In 2006, Mike Sanderson and Seb Josse on board ABN Amro, winner of the Volvo Ocean Race, the super Maxis; Alfa Romeo and Maximus and the 2006 Rolex Middle Sea Race overall winner, Hasso Platner on board his MaxZ86, Morning Glory.

George David on board Rambler (ex-Alfa Romeo) managed a new course record in 2007 and in 2008, Thierry Bouchard on Spirit of Ad Hoc won the Rolex Middle Sea Race on board a Beneteau 40.7

The largest number of entries was 78 established in 2008.

Middle Sea Race History

IN THE BEGINNING

The Middle Sea Race was conceived as the result of sporting rivalry between great friends, Paul and John Ripard and an Englishman residing in Malta called Jimmy White, all members of the Royal Malta Yacht Club. In the early fifties, it was mainly British servicemen stationed in Malta who competitively raced. Even the boats had a military connection, since they were old German training boats captured by the British during the war. At the time, the RMYC only had a few Maltese members, amongst who were Paul and John Ripard.

So it was in the early sixties that Paul and Jimmy, together with a mutual friend, Alan Green (later to become the Race Director of the Royal Ocean Racing Club), set out to map a course designed to offer an exciting race in different conditions to those prevailing in Maltese coastal waters. They also decided the course would be slightly longer than the RORC's longest race, the Fastnet. The resulting course is the same as used today.

Ted Turner, CEO of Turner Communications (CNN) has written that the Middle Sea Race "must be the most beautiful race course in the world. What other event has an active volcano as a mark of the course?"

In all of its editions since it was first run in 1968 – won by Paul Ripard's brother John, the Rolex Middle Sea Race has attracted many prestigious names in yachting. Some of these have gone on to greater things in life and have actually left their imprint on the world at large. Amongst these one finds the late Raul Gardini who won line honours in 1979 on Rumegal, and who spearheaded the 1992 Italian Challenge for the America's Cup with Moro di Venezia.

Another former line honours winner (1971) who has passed away since was Frenchman Eric Tabarly winner of round the world and transatlantic races on Penduik. Before his death, he was in Malta again for the novel Around Europe Open UAP Race involving monohulls, catamarans and trimarans. The guest list for the Middle Sea Race has included VIP's of the likes of Sir Francis Chichester, who in 1966 was the first man to sail around the world single-handedly, making only one stop.

The list of top yachting names includes many Italians. It is, after all a premier race around their largest island. These include Navy Admiral Tino Straulino, Olympic gold medallist in the star class and Cino Ricci, well known yachting TV commentator. And it is also an Italian who in 1999 finally beat the course record set by Mistress Quickly in 1978. Top racing skipper Andrea Scarabelli beat it so resoundingly, he knocked off over six hours from the time that had stood unbeaten for 20 years.

World famous round the world race winners with a Middle Sea Race connection include yachting journalist Sir Robin Knox-Johnston and Les Williams, both from the UK.

The Maxi Class has long had a long and loving relationship with the Middle Sea Race. Right from the early days personalities such as Germany's Herbert Von Karajan, famous orchestra conductor and artistic director of the Berliner Philarmoniker, competing with his maxi Helisara IV. Later came Marvin Greene Jr, CEO of Reeves Communications Corporation and owner of the well known Nirvana (line honours in 1982) and Jim Dolan, CEO of Cablevision, whose Sagamore was back in 1999 to try and emulate the line honours she won in 1997.

THE COURSE RECORD

The course record was held by the San Francisco based, Robert McNeil on board his Maxi Turbo Sled Zephyrus IV when in 2000, he smashed the Course record which now stands at 64 hrs 49 mins 57 secs. Zephyrus IV is a Rechiel-Pugh design. In recent years, various maxis such as Alfa Romeo, Nokia, Maximus and Morning Glory have all tried to break this course record, but the wind Gods have never played along. Even the VOR winner, ABN AMro tried, but all failed in 2006.

However, George David came along on board Rambler in 2007 and demolished the course record established by Zephyrus IV in 2000. This now stands at 1 day, 23 hours, 55 minutes and 3 seconds.

At A Glance - Middle Sea Race 2024

First held: 1968

Organising Authority: Royal Malta Yacht Club

Start

The 45th Rolex Middle Sea Race will start on Saturday, 19 October 2024.

Grand Harbour, Valletta: seven separate starts, at 10-minute intervals, from 11:00 CEST Saturday, 21 October 2024

Start Line: between the Saluting Battery, Upper Barrakka Gardens (Valletta) and Fort St Angelo (Birgu)

Various vantage points all around the Grand Harbour, high up on the bastions or at water level. Harbour access for spectator boats is restricted during the period of the start.

Course

Set in the heart of the Mediterranean and is considered one of the most beautiful in the world. It starts and finishes in Malta, passes two active volcanoes and takes in the deep azure waters surrounding Sicily, and the Aeolian and Egadi Islands, as well as lonelier outposts of Pantelleria and Lampedusa, both closer to the African continent than Europe.

Length: 606 nautical miles (1,122km)

Outright Race Record: 33h 29m 28s, Argo, United States, Jason Carroll

Monohull Race Record: 40h 17m 50s, Comanche, Cayman Is, Mitch Booth

Main Trophies

Rolex Middle Sea Race Trophy – overall race winner under IRC Time Correction

Boccale de Mediterraneo – winner of ORC category

RLR Trophy – winner of monohull line honours

Captain Morgan Trophy – winner of multihull division on corrected time (MOCRA)

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