33-year-old Monika Dukarska won gold in the women's single this morning — the third time she's won the title at the World Coastal Rowing Championships, following 2009 and 2016.
Dukarska took the lead early on and held it the whole race, widening the gap the over 30 meters. Through most of the 6km course defending champion Jessica Berra of France was in position behind Dukarska, but Azerbaijan's Diana Dymchenko passed Berra towards the finish to take silver, repeating her 2022 placing.
Dukarska, a member of Killorglin Rowing Club, is currently studying for her PhD in education. Alongside Aileen Crowley she placed 11th in the women's pair at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
Coastal rowing is set to be included as an Olympic discipline starting with the 2028 LA Olympics, when it will replace lightweight rowing.
Meanwhile Sionna Healy, Niamh Lordan, Miriam Sheehan, Rhiannon O'Donoghue, and cox David Hussey sprinted to the finish line to take bronze for Ireland in the women's coxed quad behind winners the Netherlands and runners-up Spain.
