Hayes wins rowing bronze in Serbia
Sunday, 7 September 2008 12:41University College Cork student, Orla Hayes, battled hard in 35 degree heat to secure a third place finish in the final of the Lightweight Women's Single Scull to ensure a bronze medal at the World University Rowing Championships in Belgrade, Serbia.
Hayes faced tough opposition in the final in the form of Dutch rower, Annelies Labots, who had won her heat by less than one tenth of a second from Hayes.
A blisteringly fast opening saw Poland set the early pace ahead of Hayes, Labots and the eventual silver medallist, Swiss girl Antonia Iagovitna, although the Pole faded during the middle of the race and was left behind by the three stronger boats.
A strong push from the Dutch around the1000m mark would define the race, and Labots would not be pulled back in. Iagovitna held on for Silver, while Hayes had to settle with the Bronze medal.
Ireland's only other athlete at the championships, Liam Molloy (NUI Galway), faced a 'B' final last evening, and despite a strong start was unable to stay with the eventual winners, finishing in 4th for an overall 10th place finish.
Ireland's team manager, Ciara Ni Cheilleachair, was delighted with the performance of both athletes at this championship.
'Orla has a lot of international experience, and we had set a medal as our target for coming out here. She has been extremely professional all week and unfortunately the initial draw was a little unkind with the three medallists having to come through the same heat.
'Had she been in the other heat, she would probably have missed the repechage and had a rest day.' said Ni Cheilleachair.
'Despite all that Orla still came through and delivered a medal winning performance in that heat. She can be rightly proud of her performance.'
'Liam is a little disappointed with his performance, but having to race in the mid day sun for two days consecutively has really taken it out of him. It's been a learning experience for him and he will come out stronger for it.'
