World Cup Regatta: O’Donovan brothers falter and recover

Paul and Gary O’Donovan took a misstep at the World Cup regatta in Lucerne. They finished in third place in their heat, thus losing out on the chance to go directly through to the semi-finals. But they overcame the stumble in characteristic fashion, coming from behind in the oppressive heat of the evening to win their repechage with a late charge.

The women’s single sculls provided a more straightforward success story, with both of Ireland’s competitors taking their place in the semi-finals (the top 12 of 25). Monika Dukarska moved steadily, with a second placing in her heat and a very clear third in her quarter-final.

Sanita Puspure was much more emphatic. She gave every impression of being a woman with a mission. She took second in her heat, never letting Vicky Thornley of Britain – an Olympic silver medallist in the double – dominate. The Ireland sculler then won her quarter-final, relegating multiple Olympic gold medallist Ekaterina Karsten to third and American Felice Mueller to second.

All three Ireland crews will compete in Saturday’s semi-finals, along with Shane O’Driscoll and Mark O’Donovan, who go in a straight final of the lightweight pair. O’Driscoll and O’Donovan finished second to Britain in an exhibition race.