Η ΚΟΥΡΣΑ ΤΩΝ ΔΙΔΥΜΩΝ ΟΠΩΣ ΠΕΡΙΓΡΑΦΕΤΑI ΑΠΟ ΤΗΝ FISA

Lightweight Men’s Pair (LM2-) - Final

The Gkountoulas twins of Greece showed that they had good speed earlier at Grethis regatta. Today they confirmed that. Nikolaos and Apostolos Gkountoulas took off in the lead over Japan’s Yusuke Imai and Yoshinori Sato in second. The Greek brothers have rowed together since being on the junior team seven years ago and they appear to suit this event. Today, with Japan, these two boats remained in the lead through the body of the race. Meanwhile, a close battle was going on behind them between Italy, Great Britain and Austria One.

As the finish of the race came into view Juliusz Madecki and Paul Ruttmann of Austria made their move. They had shaken off the British and were attacking Japan’s position. At the line Greece had held on to first. Austria moved through to second and Japan got third.

Results: GRE, AUT1, JPN1, GBR, ITA, JPN2 Gold: Nikolaos GKOUNTOULAS (GRE)
“It was good but the water is not so good today. The problem was mostly in the last 1000m. It was a nice experience for us racing the first time in the pair. We’re looking for a medal in Linz [World Rowing Senior Championships for non-Olympic boat classes in July].”

Silver: Paul RUTTMANN (AUT1)
“We only went into the pair two weeks ago, the same as Greece. We came 6th in Lucerne, only three days after having started in the pair. I didn’t expect to medal, but it was a hectic race, it was a dream to row! Now we are really looking forward to the World Rowing Championships.”

Bronze: Yusuke IMAI (JPN1)
“I’m very happy. I’m also very hungry because the weight control was difficult. It was my second Rowing World Cup.”