Rowers crowned at Rowing World Cup, set their sights on Olympics

(BEIJING, June 22) -- It was obvious heading into the finals of the Rowing World Cup in Poznan, Poland, on June 21 that many rowers had two objectives in mind: win gold here and gain momentum for winning gold this summer in Beijing. The World Cup was the last major international race before the Olympics.

Three-time world champion Ekaterina Karsten of Belarus had an easy win over Mirda Knapkova of the Czech Republic and finished first in the Women's Single Sculls. New Zealand's Emma Twigg won bronze.

Three-time world champion Mahe Drysdale of New Zealand finished first in Men's Single Sculls

ahead of Ondrej Synek who challenged the leader with 41 stroke rate in the final sprint. The bronze went to Norway's Olaf Tufte.

The German pair Lenka Wech and Maren Derlien had the lead throughout the race and crossed the line first with a huge open water lead in the Women's Pairs. New Zealand's Nicola Coles and Juliette Haigh finished in second place.

In the Men's Pairs, Germain Chardin and Dorian Mortelette of France had the lead throughout much of the race, but George Bridgewater and Nathan Twaddle of New Zealand pushed their rating to 40 in the final 500m to finish first.

The Women's Double Sculls was a race between top contenders Britain and Italy. Britain's Olympic qualifiers Elise Laverick and Anna Bebington remained in the lead throughout the race despite challenges from Italy and held on for first. Finland finished third.

In Men's Double Sculls Lucerne Rowing World Cup winners Nathan Cohen and Rob Waddle of New Zealand led the field from the middle of the race and took first. Slovenia finished second and Estonia third.

The Netherlands got out in the lead in the Men's Four and retained their edge until the finish. In the final sprint Great Britain went to a 43 stroke rate and finished second. The crew from Slovenia took bronze.

In the Lightweight Women's Double Sculls, Tracy Cameron and Melanie Kok of Canada got out fast and had a full boat-length lead over Germany at the half-way point. Canada took first in an all out sprint with Germany, which finished second, and Australia, which finished third.

Luini and Miani of Italy started strong in the Lightweight Men's Double Sculls and remained in the lead through the half-way point. Changes took place in the final sprint With Great Britain taking first, Denmark second and Italy slipping to third.

France had a slight lead over Australia at the start of the Lightweight Men's Four. In the last 500m, boats from France, Australia and Italy upped their rates to more than 40. France held on for the win, with Italy just .02 seconds behind.

In the Men's Quadruple Sculls, three-time world champion Poland took the lead at the start and but could not off Italy, who pushed into first at the mid-point. In the final sprint, the French overtook Poland to grab second behind Italy.

Great Britain topped an unrelenting crew from Germany in the Men's Eight. And in the Women's Eight, Romanio overcame an early lead from the Canadian crew to take a .01 victory over Britain and Germany.