Modest final day for Swiss rowers

Fluri and Bogorad celebrate after coming third in Sunday's B-final Keystone

The world rowing championships reached an exciting climax on Sunday with some top quality racing and the setting of a new world's best time. For Swiss athletes, the closing day was a low-key affair, though, with all four boats taking part in the B-finals.

The young pairing of Lea Fluri and Jane Bogorad at least managed to exceed expectations by coming third in the B-final of the women’s double sculls, the two 22-year-olds securing ninth place overall as a result.

A fourth place finish in the men’s lightweight pairs was also enough to see Michael Hegetschweiler and Camille Codoni squeeze into the overall top ten.

There was further disappointment, though, in the men’s lightweight double sculls with Swiss World Cup holders Nicolas Lätt and Markus Gier managing only fifth place in the B-finals and 11th place overall.

Switzerland’s lightweight coxless fours team also finished 11th overall after coming fifth in their B-final.

Vogel provides sole medal

Coupled with Saturday’s results, Sunday’s performances ensured that Switzerland would be leaving the world championships with only Pia Vogel’s bronze medal in the lightweight single sculls to show for their efforts.

Vogel, a former double world champion, told swissinfo on Saturday that she was delighted to have won the bronze, despite being tipped as a pre-race favourite for gold. Her team-mate Xeno Müller also put a brave face on his fifth place finish in the men’s single sculls, the Atlanta gold medallist promising that he would be back next year with more power.

Closing day entertainment

With Switzerland having to settle for host duties on Sunday, it was left to the strong international field to provide the closing day entertainment. And the crews certainly didn’t disappoint.

The Australian women’s team set a new world’s best time in the lightweight quadruple sculls, winning gold in 6’29″68, ahead of the USA and Holland, while upsets were provided by Italy and Austria, who both saw off Olympic champions to win the men’s lightweight double sculls and lightweight coxless fours respectively.

Germany dominated in the quadruple sculls, winning both the men’s and women’s finals, while Romania and Australia took respective golds as the men’s and women’s eights brought a traditional end to the championship schedule.

by Mark Ledsom, Lucerne.