The rowing crews from Ireland continue to tick the boxes at the Final Olympic Qualification Regatta in Lucerne, Switzerland. Another good day of racing has seen all three boats progress to their respective A Finals, and they are in with a shot at Olympic qualification.
Konan Pazzaia, coached by Head Men's Coach Fran Keane, had a stellar performance again this morning. He won his quarterfinal to move forward into the A/B Semifinal this afternoon. After a short turnaround, he was back on the water to fight for a spot in the A final.
Up against Tokyo silver medalist Kjetil Borch from Norway, Pazzaia held his composure through the first three-quarters of the Semi, sitting in the leading position. Coming into the finish, the Romanian sculler made his move and came through to win the race, but Konan was secure in his position for the A Final, finishing in third position. He needs to be in the top two in tomorrow's final to make it to Paris and he'll be up against Norway, USA, Romania, GB and Italy.
Sanita Puspure has put herself right in contention for the ticket to Paris
It's down to the final six scullers in the Women's single and after today's performance, Sanita Puspure has put herself right in contention for the ticket to Paris, heading into tomorrow's final with the quickest time from the Semifinals. Home favourite, 20-year-old Aurelia-Maxima Janzen, stuck to Sanita for the first half of the race, staying less than a second behind. Through the 1000m mark, Puspure's race experience stood by her as she began to pull away from the other scullers, increasing her gap right up to the finish line, where she finished about a length and a half up.
Tomorrow she goes up against Japan, Czechia, Spain, Switzerland and Slovenia and it's the top two positions that Sanita will have her eyes on to secure her place in Paris.
Follow the Racing
On the World Rowing website here will be a live race tracker and live audio commentary for every race, and live video streaming on Tuesday, from 9:00 onwards for all A-Finals.
Tuesday Schedule (IST)
9:50 am - Women's Four Final
11:40 am - Men's Single A Final
11:58 am - Women's Single A Final
Day 2 Results
M1x Quarterfinal 1st -> A/B Semi
W1x A/B Semi 1st -> A Final
M1x A/B Semi 3rd -> A Final
Final Olympic Qualification Regatta Team
High Performance Director - Antonio Maurogiovanni
Women's Four
Emily Hegarty - Skibbereen Rowing Club
Eimear Lambe - Old Collegians Boat Club
Natalie Long - Lee Valley Rowing Club
Imogen Magner - Carlow Rowing Club
COACH - Giuseppe DeVita
Women's Single
Sanita Puspure - Old Collegians Boat Club
COACH - Ashlee Rowe
Men's Single
Konan Pazzaia - Queen's University Belfast Boat Club
COACH - Fran Keane
Staff
Team Physio - Heather O'Brien
Team Doctor - George Fuller
