The main Slovenian favorite for the top places at the domestic European rowing championship in Bled, Rajko Hrvat, took second place in the preliminaries of the light skiffs and will have to compete in the repechage on Friday at 10 a.m.
The Croatian, who won bronze at the WC in the Czech Republic last year, took second place in the lightweight singles in the first qualifying group. The Italian overtook him by six seconds. The third was a German.
“I have a resit exam tomorrow. Nothing special. I tried to get in touch with the Italian. It didn’t work and I gave up in the last 500 meters. Hope to see you on Sunday in the final to kick back,” the 37-year-old Croatian was brief after the match, adding: “There is no alarm. I know I will make it to the finals tomorrow. I’m not afraid of anything.“
Nina Kostanjšek in the semi-finals, Pfeifer and the duo in the repechage
The people from Maribor performed first Jaka Chas and Nick Krebs in a duo without a coxswain. In their pre-competition group, they saved their strength and finished the match in last place, and will be looking for an opportunity in Friday’s (10:40 a.m.) repechage. They gave up before half way.
“The tactic was to see how it goes up to 750, 1000 meters and then save some power for tomorrow. And finally, if you’re not in the right position, there’s no need for a strong finish,Krebs said.
Nina Kostanjšek took third place in her group in singles and qualified for the semi-finals. The current European and world champion, Karoijen Florijn from the Netherlands, was in her own class. The rower from Izola fought for the best possible starting point in the semi-finals against Denmark’s Foie Udby Erichsen. In the second part, she was a stronger competitor from the north of Europe.
“The goal was to reach the semi-finals and I tried to take the match by staying in the places leading there. It is important that I got a day off so that I can gather the necessary strength for Saturday,” said the Slovenian representative.
He was also in the unit Filip Matej Pfeifer fifth in his group and will seek promotion in the rematch. It was clear that the first place, which was the only direct leader among the twelve, was given to the Olympic champion, the Greek Stefanos Ntouskos, which the competitor from Peloponnese also confirmed in the boat.
“The match was a warm-up, but I’m not satisfied. Will have to look at the stats and what I’ve been doing. Then I will gather for the second game, which is even more important. The difference to the other rowers was too great,” Pfeifer was not satisfied with his own performance
You will be able to watch the finals on Saturday and Sunday on TV SLO 2 and MMC.
Source: Rtvslo
