Image credit: World Rowing
The final World Cup in Olympic year is always a bit of a strange affair. It’s often a mix of Olympic-bound crews looking for some final race practice, and nations looking to give experience to their development boats ahead of the next Olympic cycle. This year’s final World Cup is no different. The host for this World Cup is the Lake Malta course in Poznan, one of the most frequently used courses in all of World Rowing.
So, here’s our look at who to watch out for in each event and also perhaps a few names to watch for the LA Olympic cycle.
Entries: 3
Just a few weeks ago, we witnessed one of the upsets of the Paralympic cycle. Norway’s Birgit Skarstein was handed her first loss in an international final in nearly eight years. The last time she didn’t win a final? The Paralympic final in Rio De Janeiro under the watchful eyes of Christ The Redeemer. Since then, the 35-year-old has been the dominant force in this category and she comes into this Paralympic year as the defending champion from Tokyo.
Skarstein’s fall from the top spot of the podium was at the hands of Germany’s Manuela Diening. Since the 2021 European championships, Diening has featured regularly in the A-Final of this event and, following a fifth-placed finish at the world championships last year, placed second at this year’s European championships before toppling the Norwegian giant to claim her first title at a major championship. What’s fascinating though is the splits. Skarstein led Diening at 500, halfway and by a smidge entering the final quarter with the German ultimately prevailing over the Norwegian by seven seconds. The German is starting to peak at just the right time in this three-year cycle and the next instalment of Diening v Skarstein will be mouthwatering.
The two contenders for the gold medal will be joined by Poland’s Zofia Seweryn, who will be racing on the international stage for the first time.
Prediction
I expect Skarstein to have gone away and worked on her closing sprint but you can’t ignore the raw power Diening displayed in Lucerne, and as such, Diening sneaks another gold at this event.
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