Siobhán McCrohan is World Champion and the women's double boat has qualified for the 2024 Paris Olympics: Friday was another successful day in the books for the Irish crews at the 2023 World Rowing Championships.
Siobhán McCrohan is the well-deserved 2023 Lightweight Women's Scull World Champion. The Tribesmen rower put in an amazing performance, taking the gold medal with clear water ahead of the other competitors. It was a close race for the first 1000 metres going back and forth between McCrohan and the rowers from the USA and Mexico, but in the second half McCrohan showed her strength in the tough conditions and pulled into the lead.
After taking a significant break in her rowing career due to injury, Siobhán (36) has made huge improvement from when she first competed this year at the European Championships. In 2010 and 2011 Siobhán rowed in the lightweight double with Claire Lambe in the hopes to qualify for the London Olympics. Since then the Galway rower hasn't done much rowing until just last winter. She leaves the 2023 World Championships as the World Champion with the gold medal to show for it.
Meanwhile Alison Bergin and Zoe Hyde did it again in the women's double finishing second in their Semi to progress to the A Final booking another ticket for Paris 2024. Sitting in second position from the start, Bergin and Hyde held their position, not allowing the French double to break through in their final charge for the line. Ireland are the second fastest boat going into the A final just behind the USA double of Sophia Vitas and Kristina Wagner. They face New Zealand, Lithuania, Romania, USA and France in Sunday's Final.
