Displaying items by tag: European Championships

30th May 2014

Puspure Puts Ireland in European Rowing Semi-Finals

#ROWING: Sanita Puspure won her repechage at the European Rowing Championships in Belgrade in Serbia today to qualify for tomorrow’s semi-finals of the women’s single sculls. Puspure could have finished in any of the top three places and qualified, but she made the race her own and won convincingly. Behind her there was a battle for second and third, with Denmark and Latvia making it.

European Rowing Championships, Belgrade, Serbia – Day One (Irish interest; selected results)

Men

Lightweight Single Sculls – Heat Three (First Two to A/B Semi-Finals; rest to Repechage): 1 Italy (M Miani) 6:56.92, 2 Bulgaria (N Vasilev) 6:59.35; 3 Ireland (P O’Donovan) 7:02.21, 4 France 7:06.95, 5 Turkey 7:16.58. Repechage (First Two to A/B Semi-Finals; rest to C/D Semi-Finals): 1 Slovenia (R Hrvat) 7:06.58, 2 Serbia (M Stanojevic) 7:09.01; 3 Czech Republic 7:11.62, 4 Ireland (O’Donovan) 7:12.26, 5 Netherlands 7:15.5.

Women

Pair – Heat Two (Winner to A Final; rest to Repechage): 1 Romania (C Grigoras, L Oprea) 7:14.51; 2 Ireland (L Kennedy, L Dilleen) 7:18.77, 3 Croatia 7:21.87, 4 Serbia 7:24.46, 5 Germany 7:32.40.

Double Sculls – Heat Two (First Two to A Final; rest to Repechage): 1 Poland (M Fularczyk, N Madaj) 6:46.50, 2 Britain (F Houghton, V Thornley); 3 Netherlands 6:54.59, 4 Czech Republic 7:10.63, 5 Ireland (M Dukarska, E Moran) 7:16.66.

Single Sculls – Heat Three (First Two to A/B Semi-Finals; rest to Repechage): 1 Czech Republic (M Knapkova) 7:29.98, 2 Netherlands (C Acterberg) 7:31.64; 3 Ireland (S Puspure) 7:39.26, 4 Sweden 7:48.13, 5 Latvia 7:51.24. Repechage Two (First Three to A/B Semi-Finals; rest to C Final): 1 Ireland (Puspure) 7:43.41, 2 Denmark (L Jakobsen) 7:46.03, 3 Latvia (E Gulbe) 7:46.75; 4 Bulgaria 7:48.05, 5 Estonia 7:53.49, 6 Norway 7:58.91.

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30th May 2014

Tough Second Outing For O'Donovan At European Rowing

#ROWING: Paul O’Donovan, who came within one place of gaining automatic qualification for the A/B semi-finals this morning, could only finish fourth in his repechage at the European Rowing Championships in Belgrade in Serbia this afternoon. The two coveted places in the lightweight single sculls semis went to Slovenia and Serbia. The Czech Republic was third and Ireland fourth. O’Donovan’s next challenge is the C/D semi-finals tomorrow.

European Rowing Championships, Belgrade, Serbia – Day One (Irish interest; selected results)

Men

Women

Pair – Heat Two (Winner to A Final; rest to Repechage): 1 Romania (C Grigoras, L Oprea) 7:14.51; 2 Ireland (L Kennedy, L Dilleen) 7:18.77, 3 Croatia 7:21.87, 4 Serbia 7:24.46, 5 Germany 7:32.40.

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30th May 2014

Dilleen and Kennedy Second in European Heat

#ROWING: All four Ireland crews are set for repechages after today's first session of heats at the European Rowing Championships in Belgrade in Serbia. The women’s pair of Leonora Kennedy and Lisa Dilleen came a creditable second to Romania in their heat, but only one automatic qualification place was on offer. Women’s single sculler Sanita Puspure also finished just one place off qualification, in third, in a race won by Olympic champion Mirka Knapkova. The Ireland women’s double of Monika Dukarska and Eimear Moran were fifth in their heat.

Earlier, Paul O’Donovan had finished third in his heat of the lightweight single sculls.

European Rowing Championships, Belgrade, Serbia – Day One (Irish interest; selected results)

Men

Women

Pair – Heat Two (Winner to A Final; rest to Repechage): 1 Romania (C Grigoras, L Oprea) 7:14.51; 2 Ireland (L Kennedy, L Dilleen) 7:18.77, 3 Croatia 7:21.87, 4 Serbia 7:24.46, 5 Germany 7:32.40.

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30th May 2014

O'Donovan Third in Heat at European Rowing Championships

#ROWING: Paul O’Donovan finished third in his heat of the lightweight single sculls, just one place outside automatic qualification for the A/B semi-finals, at the European Championships in Belgrade this morning. In fast cross-tailwind conditions, Italy’s Marcello Miani set a hot pace and won well. France, Bulgaria and Ireland vied for the valuable second spot. O'Donovan put in a good second 1,000 metres, but Bulgaria’s Nedelcho Vasilev took second. France were fourth. Ireland, France and Turkey go to Repechages later in the day.

European Rowing Championships, Belgrade, Serbia – Day One (Irish interest; selected results)

Men

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13th May 2014

Rowing Ireland To Send Seven to European Junior Rowing Championships

#ROWING: A team of seven athletes have been selected to represent Ireland at the European Junior Rowing Championships in Hazelwinkel, Belgium on May 24^th and 25^th. This is the first time Rowing Ireland has sent a team to compete at this event.

The team is:

Junior Women’s Single Scull: Erin Barry, Bann RC.

Junior Women’s Double Scull: Eimear Lambe, Commercial RC and Jasmine English, Belfast BC

Junior Men’s Double Scull: David O’Malley, St Michaels RC and Conor Carmody, Shannon RC

Junior Men’s Pair: David Keohane and Brian Keohane, Presentation College RC

All seven athletes represented Ireland in 2013. Erin Barry, Jasmine English, David O’Malley and Conor Carmody competed at the Junior World Rowing Championships, while Eimear Lambe, David Keohane and Brian Keohane were chosen for the Coupe de la Jeunesse, a European tournament. This year’s World Junior Rowing Championships and Coupe de la Jeunesse both take place in August.

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13th February 2014

Laois Teen Makes Freestyle Kayaking Team For Euros

#Kayaking - Laois teenager Calvin O'Brien is one of the latest to qualify for the junior men's freestyle kayaking team headed to the European Championships in Slovakia this September.

As the Leinster Express reports, the 17-year-old claimed his spot by showing off his moves in the tough proving ground of a whitewater kayaking tournament in Tuam, Co Galway recently.

And he continues a long line of success for the Laois Kayak & Canoe Club, which has members competing at national level in canoe marathons and canoe polo.

The Leinster Express has more on the story HERE.

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9th June 2013

Craig Comes Close in Canoe Slalom Championships

# EURO CANOE SLALOM: Hannah Craig finished 17th of the 40 competitors in the women’s K1 at the European Canoe Slalom Championships in Krakow in Poland today. The Ireland Olympian clocked 99.82 seconds in the heat, which put her just 1.01 seconds behind the 10th place finisher who secured a slot in the final. Aisling Conlan was given three 50-second penalties and finished 40th.

Canoe Slalom European Championships, Krakow, Poland, Day Two (Irish interest)

Women – K1 Heat (First 10 to Final): 1 Britain (F Pennie) 92.01; 17 H Craig 99.82; 40 A Conlan 274.24 (122.24 plus 152 sec penalties).

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8th June 2013

Heurteau and Rheinisch Miss Out in One-Shot Heat

# EURO CANOE SLALOM: Ireland’s two competitors in the men’s K1 (racing kayak) at the European Canoe Slalom Championships in Krakow in Poland today came up short of making the final. The programme had to be radically altered because of the recent flooding and only the first 15 of 57 in a single run made it to the final. Ciaran Heurteau was ajudged to have missed the 15th gate and the resulting 50-second penalty ruled him out. However, Eoin Rheinisch was originally in the hunt, initially placing 8th after clocking 91.54 seconds including a two-second penalty for hitting gate 19. But that penalty was upped to 50 seconds and he finished 46th, with Heurteau 47th. Rheinisch’s original run would not have made it in any case as the competitors coming after him pushed him down the field.

Canoe Slalom European Championships, Krakow, Poland, Day One (Irish interest)

Men

K1 Heat One (First 15 to Final): 1 Czech Republic (V Hradilek) 82.96; 46 E Rheinisch 139.54 (89.54 plus 50 sec penalty); 47 C Heurteau 140.20 (86.20 plus 54 sec penalties).

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2nd June 2013

Lambe Just One Place From Medal in European Rowing Final

# ROWING: Ireland’s Claire Lambe finished fourth in the A Final of the lightweight single sculls at the European Rowing Championships in Seville this morning.

Raced into a strong headwind this was an interesting contest. At the head of the field Greek tyro Alkaterini Nikolaidou moved up alongside multi-medal winner Michaela Taupe-Traer in the middle stages of the race and then took off at 1500 metres to win gold, with the Austrian having to settle for silver. Lambe was fourth behind Marie-Anne Frenken of the Netherlands all down the course and could not make up the deficit in the final quarter to move into the medal places.

European Championships, Day Three (Irish interest)

Women

Lightweight Single Sculls – A Final: 1 Greece (A Nikolaidou) 8:32.92, 2 Austria (M Taupe-Traer) 8:36.59, 3 Netherlands (M-A Frenken) 8:39.14; 4 Ireland (C Lambe) 8:47.66, 5 Italy 8:50.74, 6 Cyprus 9:01.25.

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1st June 2013

Puspure Withdraws From European Rowing Semi-Final

# ROWING: Sanita Puspure was withdrawn from the A/B semi-final of the single sculls at the European Rowing Championships in Seville today. Ireland Performance Director, Morten Espersen said that the decision was made this morning because the 31-year-old had flu-like symptoms. Puspure was very unwell and could not race.

John Keohane finished fifth in his C Final, 17th overall, while the Ireland lightweight double of Niall Kenny and Justin Ryan finished 21st overall with third pace in the D Final behind Slovakia and the Czech Republic. In the C/D semi-final they were competitive early but lost out when the second half of the race became a scramble for second and third places behind dominant winners Hungary. Ireland struggled to deal with the head wind and finished fifth.

European Rowing Championships, Seville, Day Two (Irish interest)

Men

Single Sculls – C Final (places 13 to 18): 1 Hungary 7:56.08; 5 Ireland (J Keohane) 8:03.54.

Lightweight Double Sculls – C/D Semi-Finals Two (First Three to C Final; rest to D Final): 1 Hungary 7:15.12, 2 Slovenia 7:18.43, 3 Bulgaria 7:18.64; 4 Slovakia 7:20.27, 5 Ireland (N Kenny, J Ryan) 7:26.76. D Final (places 19 to 22): 1 Slovakia 7:20.10, 2 Czech Republic 7:20.44, 3 Ireland 7:25.26, 4 Armenia 8:59.40.

Women

Single Sculls – A/B Semi-Final One: Ireland (S Puspure) Did not start.

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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