In a great weekend for CUBC athletes, the stern pair of the 2023 Blue Boat won medals at the Under 23 World Championships in Plovdiv, Bulgaria.
Men’s Coxed 4
In 3rd 500 metres into the race behind a fast-starting New Zealand and Italy, the 4 held steady and moved into 2nd at the 1000 mark as the New Zealanders faded (eventually to finish 5th), a position which they never relinquished. The Italian crew managed to eke out their lead further, being a second quicker each 500 than GB, and signifvantly faster than the rest of the field, but for a sprint by the USA crew who came home with a wet sail, challenging Ollie and his crew for second before a final squeeze from GB saw them take 2nd by .76 of a second over the USA, and 2.8 seconds behind the winners Italy.
Men’s 8
Sunday dawned hot and flat once again, and the racing was equally hot. GB was in 5th at the 500, although all the crews were within a second. Holding onto their plan, they maintained a nearly even split over the next 500, which took them into second behind the USA at the thousand, before moving into the lead by the 1500. Continuing to pull ahead, their lead grew to over 2 seconds at the finish in a dominant and mature performance, whilst Nikita Zoglo (EST)’s 8+placed 3rd in the B-Final, recording a 5:41 2k.
Watch Luca’s race here