During an epic set of races in front of a packed grandstand, seven nations took home new World Under 19 Championship titles with a total of 13 nations picking up medals. Romania topped the medal table with an impressive four gold medals, while Germany picked up the highest number of medals; one gold, two silver and four bronze.
The first gold of the day went to Italy in the women’s coxed four who crossed the line almost ten seconds ahead of the rest of field. Australia prevented Italy from doing the double and defending their title in the men’s coxed four.
The Romanian National Anthem was played out three times in a row after wins in the women’s and men’s pair, and the women’s four. Their women’s pair of Iulica Maria Ursu and Gabriela Tivodariu absolutely dominated their race, crossing the line over nine seconds ahead of Greece. It was the second consecutive World Champion title in this boat class for Tivodariu.
After three consecutive wins for Romania, it was the turn of the Italians! Italy beat Great Britain to take gold in both the men’s four and the women’s quadruple sculls, while Germany were victorious in the men’s quadruple sculls, breaking Italy’s winning streak – Italy taking silver.
It was a double for Greece in the double sculls. Gavriela Lioliou and Varvara Lykomitrou overhauled Great Britain, who had led for the majority of the race, in the final sprint to become champions in the women’s double sculls. In the men’s double sculls, it was a dominating performance from Konstantinos Giannoulis and Nikolaos Cholopoulos, who led from the start.
Despite the best attempts of Great Britain to defend their title in the women’s eight, a dominant looking USA crew controlled the race from the start. It was silver for Great Britain and bronze for Italy.
In the single sculls, an epic final sprint from Greece’s Panagiotis Makrygiannis allowed him to steal the gold in the closing stages. In the women’s single sculls, the fourth gold came for Romania when Bianca Ifteni defended her title from last year – beating South Africa’s Danelia Price-Hughes.
In the last race of the day, an impressive looking men’s eight from Great Britain led throughout the entire race crossing the line over two seconds ahead of the USA. For GB, it completed the hat trick of medals for the men’s eight across the Olympic Games, U23 and U19 Championships. The USA took silver and Germany bronze.
For race reports, results and photos go to www.worldrowing.com
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