Hot on the heels of World Cup 1 comes the European Championships, this year being held at Szeged, Hungary’s third largest city. It’s the first time this course has hosted a major senior championships. The European Olympic Qualifying Regatta is also being held at the same time (for the singles, light doubles and PR1 singles) which has impacted the entries for the European Championships.
So, here’s our look at the ones to watch in each of the Paralympic-class boats.
Entries: 9
2023 Champion: Giacomo Perini (ITA)
One of the most enthralling rivalries that has started to ignite over the past couple of seasons is Italy versus Ukraine. Giacomo Perini versus Roman Polianskyi. This weekend is the next round of this tantalising contest that dates back to 2022 when Perini burst onto the international stage and snatched the spotlight from Polianskyi.
While Perini comes to Hungary as the two-time reigning European Champion, Polianskyi continues to be the dominant sculler when it matters most. The Ukrainian has won every world championship title since 2019 and he’s also the reigning Paralympic Champion. Therefore, we shouldn’t be too concerned if Polianskyi isn’t at the top of the medal table this weekend; the big question will be whether or not Perini can peak at the right point of the season in 2024.
Great Britain’s Ben Pritchard has seen his stocks rise considerably in recent years. A fifth-placed finish at the delayed Tokyo Paralympics has been followed by two bronze medals at the most recent World Championships and his 2022 season. However, consistency is key for Pritchard and he will be fighting to unseat Germany’s Marcus Klemp and Israel’s Shmuel Daniel.
As previously mentioned, this event is also doubling up as the World Rowing European Paralympic Qualification Regatta. With just one qualification spot available, Spain’s Javier Garcia is arguably the favourite to race at the Paralympic Games. Garcia placed eighth and last year’s World Champs and is also the youngest of the group vying for the final European qualification spot.
Prediction
A loss in a Paralympic year is no bad thing, particularly at the beginning of the season. As such, Perini will beat Polianskyi into the gold medal position and earn his third straight European title, just adding to this pulsating narrative on the road to Paris.
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