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Displaying items by tag: Kennedy

#WRChamps: Ireland’s new double scull of Leonora Kennedy and Monika Dukarska finished fifth in their semi-final at the World Championships in Chungju in Korea this morning and will compete in a B Final on Sunday. The semi-final was won well by Frances Houghton and Victoria Meyer-Laker, with Germany and Denmark filling second and third and taking the resultant places in the A Final. Ukraine took fourth, while Ireland pushed Italy into sixth early in the race and stayed in front of the crew in blue until the finish.

World Rowing Championships, Chungju, Korea, Day Six (Irish interest)

Women

Double Sculls – Semi-Final (First Three to A Final; rest to B Final): 1 Britain (F Houghton, V Meyer-Laker) 7:18.56, 2 Germany (J Lier, M Adams) 7:19.10, 3 Denmark (M Petersen, L Jakobsen) 7:29.30; 4 Ukraine 7:34.27, 5 Ireland (M Dukarska, L Kennedy) 7:39.33, 6 Italy 7:39.50.

Lightweight Single Sculls – C Final (Places 13 to 18): 1 Italy (D Zacco) 8:05.21, 2 Ireland (C Lambe) 8:07.38, 3 Korea (Yoo Jin Ji) 8:08.75, 4 Japan 8:18.46, 5 Singapore 8:24.11, 6 India 8:32.05.

Published in Rowing

#WRChamps: Monika Dukarska and Leonora Kennedy reached the A/B Semi-Finals at the World Championships in Korea this morning. The Ireland double scull had to make the top three in their repechage to qualify, and they finished second behind Russia and ahead of Korea, who took the third qualification place. The Russians, who had to give way to Ireland in the heats, were pillar-to-post winners, but the new Ireland crew maintained a steady pace behind them.

 The Olympic and World Champion in the men's single sculls, Mahe Drysdale of New Zealand, could only finish fourth in his quarter-final and failed to make the semi-finals.

World Rowing Championships, Day Three (Irish interest)

Women

Double Sculls – Repechage (First Three to A/B Semi-Finals; rest to C Final): 1 Russia (E Potapova, M Krasilnikova) 7:09.81, 2 Ireland (M Dukarska, L Kennedy) 7:12.08, 3 Korea (A Kim, Y Kim) 7:17.95; 4 Taipei 7:44.92, 5 Namibia 9:22.05.

Published in Rowing

#WorldRowingChampionships: Ireland’s double scull of Monika Dukarska and Leonora Kennedy took fourth in their heat at the World Rowing Championships in Chungju in Korea this morning and must compete in a repechage to secure a place in the A/B Semi-Finals.

A place in the top three was the target: Lithuania and Denmark were the clear one-two from half way, with Ukraine in third and Ireland and Russia trailing. Dukarska and Kennedy upped their rate in the second half of the race, engaging in a battle with Russia which they won. They overlapped Ukraine in the closing stages but could not head them.

World Rowing Championships, Day Two (Irish interest)

Women

Double Sculls – Heat One (First Three Directly to A/B Semi-Final; rest to Repechage): 1 Lithuania (D Vistartaite, M Valciukaite) 6:52.09, 2 Denmark (M Petersen, L Jakobsen) 6:56.34, 3 Ukraine (A Kravchenko, O Buryak) 7:02.42; 4 Ireland (M Dukarska, L Kennedy) 7:03.92, 5 Russia 7:09.73.

Published in Rowing

# ROWING WORLD CUP: Ireland’s new double scull of Leonora Kennedy and Monika Dukarska finished sixth at the World Cup regatta at Dorney Lake. The race was notable for the boat-stopping crab which China suffered at 1750 metres – only to recover and take a bronze medal. Britain won and Denmark were second. Kennedy and Dukarska had not started particularly well, but they recovered well and were up with the field until the middle stages.

World Cup Regatta, Dorney Lake, Day Three (Irish interest)

Men

Lightweight Single Sculls – A Final: 1 Portugal (P Fraga) 6:57.02, 2 Denmark One (S Jensen) 6:59.80, 3 Denmark Two (A Bendtsen) 7:00.24; 4 New Zealand 7:00.69, 5 Germany Two 7:04.66, 6 Ireland (P O’Donovan) 7:06.69.

Lightweight Double Sculls – A Final: 2 Britain (R Chambers, P Chambers)

Single Sculls – A Final: 2 Britain (A Campbell)

Women

Double Sculls – A Final: 1 Britain (F Houghton, V Meyer-Laker) 6:52.60, 2 Denmark (M Petersen, L Jakobsen) 6:53.41, 3 China (D Xu, F Pan) 6:57.81; 4 Germany 6:58.11, 5 Finland 7:01.32, 6 Ireland (M Dukarska, L Kennedy) 7:06.79.

Lightweight Single Sculls – A Final: 1 Austria (M Taupe-Traer) 7:36.62, 2 Germany (L Pless) 7:44.98, 3 Brazil (F Beltrame) 7:46.46; 4 Britain 7:47.40, 5 Ireland (C Lambe) 7:55.06, 6 Hong Kong 7:58.78.

Published in Rowing

# ROWING WORLD CUP: Claire Lambe in the lightweight single sculls and the double scull of Leonora Kennedy and Monika Dukarska both won their repechages to progress to A Finals at the World Cup regatta at Dorney Lake today.

Lambe had missed out on direct qualification through her heat when finishing third, but she made certain of an A Final place by leading from the early stages in her second-chance race. Ka Man Lee from Hong Kong was the only serious test for Lambe. She finished second and also qualified for the final.

The double had a very satisfying victory in only their second race as a crew. They were pressed at the end by Finland, but led through all four quarters.

World Cup Regatta, Dorney Lake, Day One (Irish interest)

Men

Lightweight Single Sculls - Heat Two (First Two Directly to A/B Semi-Final; rest to Repechage): 1 Ireland (P O’Donovan) 7:13.89, 2 New Zealand (D Grant) 7:17.37; 3 Hong Kong 7:27.67, 4 Korea 7:28.71, 5 Brazil Two 7:30.92, 6 Japan 7:32.49.

Lightweight Double Sculls – Heat One: 1 Britain (R Chambers, P Chambers) 6:29.86.

Single Sculls – Heat Three: Britain (A Campbell) 7:07.03.

Arms and Shoulders Single Sculls – Heat One (First Directly to Final; rest to Repechage): 4 Ireland (T Kelly) 6:31.23.

Women

Double Sculls – Heat Two (First Two Directly to A Final; rest to Repechage): 1 Britain (F Houghton, V Meyer-Laker) 6:59.96, 2 China Two (D Xu, F Pan) 7:03.91; 3 Ireland (M Dukarska, L Kennedy) 7:15.68, 4 Korea 7:18.48. Repechage (Two to A Final; rest to B Final): 1 Ireland 7:12.18, 2 Finland 7:12.92; 3 China Three 7:16.23, 4 Korea 7:18.27, 5 China One 7:32.84.

Lightweight Single Sculls – Heat Two (First Two Directly to A Final; rest to Repechage): 1 Brazil (F Beltrame) 7:54.85, 2 Britain (R Walczak) 7:59.13; 3 Ireland (C Lambe) 8:07.80, 4 Paraguay 8:29.68, 5 Hong Kong 8:34.62. Repechage (Two to A Final; rest to B Final): 1 Ireland (Lambe) 8:05.22, 2 Hong Kong One 8:07.29; 3 Paraguay 8:18.51, 4 Austria Two 8:23.09, 5 Singapore 8:28.71, 6 Hong Kong 8:35.40.

Published in Rowing

# ROWING WORLD CUP: Ireland’s new double scull of Leonora Kennedy and Monika Dukarska finished third in their heat, one place away from direct qualification for the A Final at the World Cup regatta at Dorney Lake today. Britain won the heat well, and China’s second crew kept Ireland at bay for the second spot. Ireland are set for a repechage this afternoon.

World Cup Regatta, Dorney Lake, Day One (Irish interest)

Men

Lightweight Single Sculls - Heat Two (First Two Directly to A/B Semi-Final; rest to Repechage): 1 Ireland (P O’Donovan) 7:13.89, 2 New Zealand (D Grant) 7:17.37; 3 Hong Kong 7:27.67, 4 Korea 7:28.71, 5 Brazil Two 7:30.92, 6 Japan 7:32.49.

Arms and Shoulders Single Sculls – Heat One (First Directly to Final; rest to Repechage): 4 Ireland (T Kelly) 6:31.23.

Women

Double Sculls – Heat Two (First Two Directly to A Final; rest to Repechage): 1 Britain (F Houghton, V Meyer-Laker) 6:59.96, 2 China Two (D Xu, F Pan) 7:03.91; 3 Ireland (M Dukarska, L Kennedy) 7:15.68, 4 Korea 7:18.48.

Lightweight Single Sculls – Heat Two (First Two Directly to A Final; rest to Repechage): 1 Brazil (F Beltrame) 7:54.85, 2 Britain (R Walczak) 7:59.13; 3 Ireland (C Lambe) 8:07.80, 4 Paraguay 8:29.68, 5 Hong Kong 8:34.62.

Published in Rowing
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About The Middle Sea Race

The Rolex Middle Sea Race is a highly rated offshore classic, often mentioned in the same breath as the Rolex Fastnet, The Rolex Sydney–Hobart and Newport-Bermuda as a 'must do' race. The Royal Malta Yacht Club and the Royal Ocean Racing Club co-founded the race in 1968 and 2007 was the 28th Edition. Save for a break between 1984 and 1995 the event has been run annually attracting 25–30 yachts. In recent years, the number of entries has rissen sharply to 68 boats thanks to a new Organising Committee who managed to bring Rolex on board as title sponsor for the Middle Sea Race.

The race is a true challenge to skippers and crews who have to be at their very best to cope with the often changeable and demanding conditions. Equally, the race is blessed with unsurpassed scenery with its course, taking competitors close to a number of islands, which form marks of the course. Ted Turner described the MSR as "the most beautiful race course in the world".

Apart from Turner, famous competitors have included Eric Tabarly, Cino Ricci, Herbert von Karajan, Jim Dolan, Sir Chay Blyth and Sir Francis Chichester (fresh from his round the world adventure). High profile boats from the world's top designers take part, most in pursuit of line honours and the record – competing yachts include the extreme Open 60s, Riviera di Rimini and Shining; the maxis, Mistress Quickly, Zephyrus IV and Sagamore; and the pocket rockets such as the 41-foot J-125 Strait Dealer and the DK46, Fidessa Fastwave.

In 2006, Mike Sanderson and Seb Josse on board ABN Amro, winner of the Volvo Ocean Race, the super Maxis; Alfa Romeo and Maximus and the 2006 Rolex Middle Sea Race overall winner, Hasso Platner on board his MaxZ86, Morning Glory.

George David on board Rambler (ex-Alfa Romeo) managed a new course record in 2007 and in 2008, Thierry Bouchard on Spirit of Ad Hoc won the Rolex Middle Sea Race on board a Beneteau 40.7

The largest number of entries was 78 established in 2008.

Middle Sea Race History

IN THE BEGINNING

The Middle Sea Race was conceived as the result of sporting rivalry between great friends, Paul and John Ripard and an Englishman residing in Malta called Jimmy White, all members of the Royal Malta Yacht Club. In the early fifties, it was mainly British servicemen stationed in Malta who competitively raced. Even the boats had a military connection, since they were old German training boats captured by the British during the war. At the time, the RMYC only had a few Maltese members, amongst who were Paul and John Ripard.

So it was in the early sixties that Paul and Jimmy, together with a mutual friend, Alan Green (later to become the Race Director of the Royal Ocean Racing Club), set out to map a course designed to offer an exciting race in different conditions to those prevailing in Maltese coastal waters. They also decided the course would be slightly longer than the RORC's longest race, the Fastnet. The resulting course is the same as used today.

Ted Turner, CEO of Turner Communications (CNN) has written that the Middle Sea Race "must be the most beautiful race course in the world. What other event has an active volcano as a mark of the course?"

In all of its editions since it was first run in 1968 – won by Paul Ripard's brother John, the Rolex Middle Sea Race has attracted many prestigious names in yachting. Some of these have gone on to greater things in life and have actually left their imprint on the world at large. Amongst these one finds the late Raul Gardini who won line honours in 1979 on Rumegal, and who spearheaded the 1992 Italian Challenge for the America's Cup with Moro di Venezia.

Another former line honours winner (1971) who has passed away since was Frenchman Eric Tabarly winner of round the world and transatlantic races on Penduik. Before his death, he was in Malta again for the novel Around Europe Open UAP Race involving monohulls, catamarans and trimarans. The guest list for the Middle Sea Race has included VIP's of the likes of Sir Francis Chichester, who in 1966 was the first man to sail around the world single-handedly, making only one stop.

The list of top yachting names includes many Italians. It is, after all a premier race around their largest island. These include Navy Admiral Tino Straulino, Olympic gold medallist in the star class and Cino Ricci, well known yachting TV commentator. And it is also an Italian who in 1999 finally beat the course record set by Mistress Quickly in 1978. Top racing skipper Andrea Scarabelli beat it so resoundingly, he knocked off over six hours from the time that had stood unbeaten for 20 years.

World famous round the world race winners with a Middle Sea Race connection include yachting journalist Sir Robin Knox-Johnston and Les Williams, both from the UK.

The Maxi Class has long had a long and loving relationship with the Middle Sea Race. Right from the early days personalities such as Germany's Herbert Von Karajan, famous orchestra conductor and artistic director of the Berliner Philarmoniker, competing with his maxi Helisara IV. Later came Marvin Greene Jr, CEO of Reeves Communications Corporation and owner of the well known Nirvana (line honours in 1982) and Jim Dolan, CEO of Cablevision, whose Sagamore was back in 1999 to try and emulate the line honours she won in 1997.

THE COURSE RECORD

The course record was held by the San Francisco based, Robert McNeil on board his Maxi Turbo Sled Zephyrus IV when in 2000, he smashed the Course record which now stands at 64 hrs 49 mins 57 secs. Zephyrus IV is a Rechiel-Pugh design. In recent years, various maxis such as Alfa Romeo, Nokia, Maximus and Morning Glory have all tried to break this course record, but the wind Gods have never played along. Even the VOR winner, ABN AMro tried, but all failed in 2006.

However, George David came along on board Rambler in 2007 and demolished the course record established by Zephyrus IV in 2000. This now stands at 1 day, 23 hours, 55 minutes and 3 seconds.

At A Glance - Middle Sea Race 2024

First held: 1968

Organising Authority: Royal Malta Yacht Club

Start

The 45th Rolex Middle Sea Race will start on Saturday, 19 October 2024.

Grand Harbour, Valletta: seven separate starts, at 10-minute intervals, from 11:00 CEST Saturday, 21 October 2024

Start Line: between the Saluting Battery, Upper Barrakka Gardens (Valletta) and Fort St Angelo (Birgu)

Various vantage points all around the Grand Harbour, high up on the bastions or at water level. Harbour access for spectator boats is restricted during the period of the start.

Course

Set in the heart of the Mediterranean and is considered one of the most beautiful in the world. It starts and finishes in Malta, passes two active volcanoes and takes in the deep azure waters surrounding Sicily, and the Aeolian and Egadi Islands, as well as lonelier outposts of Pantelleria and Lampedusa, both closer to the African continent than Europe.

Length: 606 nautical miles (1,122km)

Outright Race Record: 33h 29m 28s, Argo, United States, Jason Carroll

Monohull Race Record: 40h 17m 50s, Comanche, Cayman Is, Mitch Booth

Main Trophies

Rolex Middle Sea Race Trophy – overall race winner under IRC Time Correction

Boccale de Mediterraneo – winner of ORC category

RLR Trophy – winner of monohull line honours

Captain Morgan Trophy – winner of multihull division on corrected time (MOCRA)

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