Displaying items by tag: European Championships

16th May 2015

McCrohan and Jennings Dead Heat at National Rowing Centre

#ROWING: Siobhán McCrohan and Sinéad Jennings dead-heated in the shoot-out for the place in the lightweight single sculls at the European Championships. The race was held over 1500 metres because of a powerful tailwind at the National Rowing Centre, and neither sculler could draw clear of the other in a stirring contest. McCrohan started and finished well, while Jennings did well in the middle stages. The two are set to race again over 1500 metres on Friday or Saturday.

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4th July 2014

Touch on Gate Costs Liam Jegou Medal at European Canoeing

#CANOEING: Ireland’s Liam Jegou finished fourth in the final of the Canoe Slalom European Junior Championships in Skopje in Macedonia today. The C1 competitor did very well in his semi-final and actually was the fastest man in the final, but the four second penalty for two touche on gates cost him a medal. He will team up with Cade Ryan in a C2 in Sunday’s semi-final, one of two Ireland boats which has qualified.

Canoe Slalom European Junior and Under-23 Championships, Skopje, Macedonia (Selected Results; Irish interest):

Men

Junior - C2 Heats (20 Qualifiers): 15 L Jegou/R Cade 154.64; 16 R Hendrick/N Hendrick 157.39.

C1 Final: 1 Italy 113.18: 4 Jegou 116.99 (4 second penalty for two touches)

Women

Under-23 – K1 Heats (20 qualifiers): 23 A Conlan 129.72 seconds.

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2nd June 2014

History Maker Puspure the Afloat Rower of the Month for May

#ROWING: Sanita Puspure is the Afloat Rower of the Month for May. The Old Collegians single sculler put Ireland back on the map in this prestigious discipline when she took bronze at the European Championships, which ran from May 30th to June 1st. She finished third in her heat, behind Olympic champion Mirka Knapkova and Chantal Achterberg of the Netherlands, but then won her repechage and placed a steady second in her semi-final. Puspure went on to reproduce the good form she had been showing in training in the final, just .3 of a second behind gold medallist Knapkova and 0.02 behind fast-finishing Achterberg.

The achievement brought Ireland its first senior medal at a major Championships for a female openweight competitor.

Rower of the Month awards: The judging panel is made up of Liam Gorman, rowing correspondent of The Irish Times and David O'Brien, Editor of Afloat magazine. Monthly awards for achievements during the year will appear on afloat.ie and the overall national award will be presented to the person or crew who, in the judges' opinion, achieved the most notable results in, or made the most significant contribution to rowing during 2014. Keep a monthly eye on progress and watch our 2014 champions list grow.

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1st June 2014

Ireland Medal at European Rowing Championships Through Brilliant Puspure

#ROWING: Sanita Puspure lifted Ireland to the podium at the European Rowing Championships in Belgrade in Serbia today. In a brilliant final of the women’s single sculls, Puspure started well and stayed up with the leaders right through the race. In a thrilling final 50 metres Mirka Knapkova, the Olympic champion battled Puspure to hold on to the lead, and then Puspure was just edged out of silver by a stunning finish by Chantal Achterberg of the Netherlands. There was just two hundredths of a second between silver and bronze – and Puspure was just three tenths of a second behind gold medal winner Knapkova.

European Rowing Championships, Belgrade, Serbia (Irish interest; Selected Results):

Men

Lightweight Four – A Final: 1 Denmark 6:08.81, 2 Britain (P Chambers, R Chambers, M Aldred, C Bartley) 6:10.97, 3 France 6:12.81.

Single Sculls – A Final: 1 Czech Republic (O Synek) 6:54.95; 6 Britain (A Campbell) 7:02.92

Women

Pair – A Final: I Britain (H Glover, P Swann) 7:03.620, 2 Romania (C Grigoras, L Oprea) 7:08.52, 3 The Netherlands (A Jorritsma, H Boers) 7:10.56, 4 Ireland (L Kennedy, L Dilleen) 7:12.42, 5 Croatia 7:23.66, 6 Germany.

Double Sculls – B Final (Places 7 to 10): 1 Czech Republic (L Antosova, A Zabova) 7:01.76, 2 Italy 7:05.18, 3 Austria 7:09.22

4 Ireland (M Dukarska, E Moran) 7:13.39.

Single Sculls – A Final: 1 Czech Republic (M Knapkova) 7:42.74,

2 Netherlands (C Achterberg) 7:43.02, 3 Ireland (S Puspure) 7:43.04; 4 Austria 7:44.97, 5 Russia 7:49.23, 6 Germany 7:54.5.

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1st June 2014

Kennedy and Dilleen Mix it With the Best at European Rowing

#ROWING: Ireland’s Lisa Dilleen and Leonora Kennedy put in an excellent showing in the A Final of the women’s pair at the European Rowing Championships in Belgrade, Serbia today, finishing a close-up fourth. In a very fast race the Ireland crew, formed earlier this year, contended for third with the Netherlands for the final quarter of the race. The Dutch had been up with the leaders early on but as Britain moved clear in the lead and Romania secured second, Ireland pushed the Netherlands all the way to the line.

European Rowing Championships, Belgrade, Serbia (Irish interest; Selected Results):

Women

Double Sculls – B Final (Places 7 to 10): 1 Czech Republic (L Antosova, A Zabova) 7:01.76, 2 Italy 7:05.18, 3 Austria 7:09.22

4 Ireland (M Dukarska, E Moran) 7:13.39.

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1st June 2014

Ireland Double Find Going Tough at European Rowing

#ROWING: Monika Dukarska and Eimear Moran finished fourth in their B Final at the European Rowing Championships in Belgrade in Serbia this morning. The Ireland crew started well and disputed the lead with the young Czech Repbulic crew until about 750 metres. But then Italy passed the Irish and Austria did the same after halfway. The Ireland double placed 10th overall.

European Rowing Championships, Belgrade, Serbia (Irish interest; Selected Results):

Women

Double Sculls – B Final (Places 7 to 10): 1 Czech Republic (L Antosova, A Zabova) 7:01.76, 2 Italy 7:05.18, 3 Austria 7:09.22, 4 Ireland (M Dukarska, E Moran) 7:13.39.

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31st May 2014

O'Donovan Closes Out European Rowing Campaign

#ROWING: Paul O’Donovan finished a close-up second to Petr Cabla of the Czech Republic in the C Final of the lightweight men’s single sculls at the European Rowing Championships in Belgrade in Serbia today. Cabla was an impressive winner, outlasting challenges from Croatia’s Luka Radonic and Slovakia’s Marek Reznak and then O’Donovan in the closing stages to win. He places 13th and O’Donovan 14th of the 20 starters.

European Rowing Championships, Day Two (Irish interest; selected results)

Men

Lightweight Single Sculls – C/D Semi-Final Two: (First Three to C Final): Croatia 7:10.20, 2 Ireland (P O’Donovan) 7:11.13, 3 Slovakia 7:11.54; 4 Netherlands 7:12.19. C Final (Places 7 to 11): 1 Czech Republic (P Cabla) 7:08.92, 2 Ireland (O’Donovan) 7:09.59, 3 Croatia 7:12.18, 4 Slovakia 7:20.10. France did not start.

Women

Pair – Repechage Two (First Two to A Final; rest to B Final): 1

Ireland (L Kennedy, L Dilleen) 7:20.36, 2 Germany 7:22.89; 3 Czech Republic 7:24.99, 4 France 7:36.63

Double – Repechage (First Two to A Final; rest to B Final): 1 Netherlands (N Beukers, I Janssen) 6:54.59, 2 Russia (E Potapova, M Krasilnikova) 6:57.25; 3 Czech Republic 6:58.72, 4 Italy 7:00.87, 5 Austria 7:14.31, 6 Ireland (M Dukarksa, E Moran) 7:19.82.

Single – A/B Semi-Final Two (Two to A Final; rest to B Final): 1 Netherlands (C Achterberg) 7:36.98, 2 Ireland (S Puspure) 7:38.31, 3 Germany (A Thiele) 7:41.36; 4 Ukraine 7:44.95, 5 Sweden 7:45.46, 6 Latvia 7:57.97.

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31st May 2014

Puspure Joins Ireland Pair in European Rowing A Finals

#ROWING: Ireland’s Sanita Puspure joined the women’s pair in the A Finals of the European Rowing Championships in Belgrade, Serbia by finishing second in her semi-final. Germany’s Annekatrin Thiele set the pace for much of the race, but Puspure pushed her hard in the closing stages and the German faded. Chantal Achterberg of the Netherlands then took up battle with Puspure and finished just over a second faster than the Ireland sculler.

In the repechage of the women’s double sculls, Eimear Moran and Monika Dukarska were never in contention and finished at the back of the field, almost 25 seconds behind the winners, the Netherlands.

European Rowing Championships, Day Two (Irish interest; selected results)

Men

Lightweight Single Sculls – C/D Semi-Final Two: (First Three to C Final): Croatia 7:10.20, 2 Ireland (P O’Donovan) 7:11.13, 3 Slovakia 7:11.54; 4 Netherlands 7:12.19.

Women

Pair – Repechage Two (First Two to A Final; rest to B Final): 1

Ireland (L Kennedy, L Dilleen) 7:20.36, 2 Germany 7:22.89; 3 Czech Republic 7:24.99, 4 France 7:36.63

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31st May 2014

Dilleen and Kennedy Grab Place in European Final with Good Win

#ROWING: Ireland’s Lisa Dilleen and Leonora Kennedy qualified for the A Final of the women’s pair at the European Rowing Championships in Belgrade in Serbia today. The first two boats in this repechage qualified directly and Ireland had taken a clear lead by halfway. Germany, in their own battle for second with the Czech Republic, pushed the Irish in the second half, but Dilleen and Kennedy held on to win by just over a length.

European Rowing Championships, Day Two (Irish interest; selected results)

Men

Lightweight Single Sculls – C/D Semi-Final Two: (First Three to C Final): Croatia 7:10.20, 2 Ireland (P O’Donovan) 7:11.13, 3 Slovakia 7:11.54; 4 Netherlands 7:12.19.

Women

Pair – Repechage Two (First Two to A Final; rest to B Final): 1

Ireland (L Kennedy, L Dilleen) 7:20.36, 2 Germany 7:22.89; 3 Czech Republic 7:24.99, 4 France 7:36.63

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31st May 2014

O'Donovan Secures C Final Place at European Rowing Championships

#ROWING: Paul O’Donovan qualified for the C Final (Places 13 to 18) at the European Rowing Championships in Belgrade in Serbia today. The UCD man finished second of the three qualifiers from his C/D semi-final this morning. Croatia and Slovakia both led during the race while O’Donovan held on to second. Croatia’s Luka Radonic came home first, with Marek Reznak of Slovakia third. Fourth-placed Daan Klomp of the Netherlands was the sculler who missed out and will have to go to the D Final.

European Rowing Championships, Day Two (Irish interest; selected results)

Men

Lightweight Single Sculls – C/D Semi-Final Two: (First Three to C Final): Croatia 7:10.20, 2 Ireland (P O’Donovan) 7:11.13, 3 Slovakia 7:11.54; 4 Netherlands 7:12.19.

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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