University of Tartu rowers are European university champions

University of Tartu rowers won in men’s eight at the European Universities Rowing Championship in Poland.

The European Universities Rowing Championship was held in Bydgoszcz, Poland, from 7 to 10 September. Estonia was represented by University of Tartu students competing in two boat classes: the men’s eight and women’s single scull. All in all, 12 men’s eight teams competed in the championships. In women’s single sculls, there were 18 competitors, including Rachel Kõllo from the University of Tartu. 

The championships started with heats on Friday, 7 September. Kõllo finished second in the heats, progressing to the semifinal among the top 12. Our men’s eight won their heat with a convincing lead and qualified for the final on Sunday in the top six. Kõllo rowed bravely in the Saturday semifinal, in which she finished fourth. Finals were held on Sunday. In the morning session, Kõllo competed in final B of the single sculls and achieved ninth place overall. 

In the afternoon session, the University of Tartu men’s eight raced in a thrilling and nerve-wracking final to become the European university champion with 2:50.18. Our team beat Kazimierz Wielki University, who came second, by just 0.06 seconds. The University of Lyon team finished third. 

The University of Tartu’s crew included Markus Uibo, Karl August Ruusalepp, Karl Kristofer Orgse, Rasmus Tensing, Margus Kodasma, Martin Rahuoja, Uku Siim Timmusk, Mark Theodor Jalakas, and coxswain Maria Siiman.

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