Rafa Maciel

Ahead of the action getting underway, for anyone who is interested, I've (hopefully) attached a tracker of each crew's performances across the 3 World Cups and this year's European Championships - there are probably other regattas that I could/should include, but in the end it comes down to time.
 
Given the vagaries of the sport, there's not a lot of value in including a "season's best" time so it includes all of the crews times across the heats, repechage, semis and finals. 
 
Any crew highlighted in blue is taking part in the World Championships. Underneath the World Champs crews, I've also listed the other crews that have been fielded over the course of the year as there has been a lot of experimenting with crew composition this year. Not all of the different 4s and 8s have been listed if only 1 member of the crew has been swapped out. 
 
Rowing Performance Tracker.xlsx
 
 

Ahead of the action getting underway, for anyone who is interested, I've (hopefully) attached a tracker of each crew's performances across the 3 World Cups and this year's European Championships - there are probably other regattas that I could/should include, but in the end it comes down to time.
 
Given the vagaries of the sport, there's not a lot of value in including a "season's best" time so it includes all of the crews times across the heats, repechage, semis and finals. 
 
Any crew highlighted in blue is taking part in the World Championships. Underneath the World Champs crews, I've also listed the other crews that have been fielded over the course of the year as there has been a lot of experimenting with crew composition this year. Not all of the different 4s and 8s have been listed if only 1 member of the crew has been swapped out. 
 
Rowing Performance Tracker.xlsx
 
 

This story is quickly straying into the realms of ridiculousness - Rubiales' mother has reportedly locked herself in a church and is on hunger strike in protest against the treatment of her son.
 
Luis Rubiales: Spanish FA president's mother on hunger strike over kiss row - BBC Sport
 

Some of the main results from last week's action on the roads
 
Men's Events
 
Deutschland Tour
1.)   Ilan Van Wilder
2.)  Felix Grosschartner
3.)  Danny Van Poppel
 
 
Renewi Tour
1.)   Tim Wellens
2.)  Florian Vermeersch
3.)  Yves Lampaert
 
In the end,  Josh Tarling, who won the ITT and led the tour after Stage 2, faded pretty badly to finish in 114th place but in winning stage 2, Tarling equaled the record as the youngest winner of a UCI World Tour race - matching the achievement of Remco Evenepoel. 
 
 
Tour de l'Avenir
1.)   Isaac Del Toto Romero
2.)  Giulio Pellizzari
3.)  Davide Piganzoli
 
 
Women's Events
 
Tour of Scandinavia
1.)   Annemiek Van Vleuten
2.)  Cecilie Ludwig
3.)  Amber Kraak

Beginning to feel like this is just becoming the Tennis Player Retirement Thread but here's another one - former World Number 8  Jack Sock has announced he will retire from tennis after the US Open. Although, it is possible that this will be less of a retirement and more of a switch in sport as he is reportedly set to join the pickleball tour. 

This story is quickly straying into the realms of ridiculousness - Rubiales' mother has reportedly locked herself in a church and is on hunger strike in protest against the treatment of her son.
 
Luis Rubiales: Spanish FA president's mother on hunger strike over kiss row - BBC Sport
 

Can't we all just accept that  had a p**s-poor Championships and move on? Much as we all enjoy the endless back and forth exchange of random and largely irrelevant stats it doesn't really move the conversation on much further. 
 
With Mihambo out injured, they just don't currently have the depth of squad that they used to but they do at least have medal prospects for next year. 

Pal Arinsal Mountain Bike World Cup
 
Men's Elite Cross Country
 
1.)   Mathias Fluckiger
2.)  Thomas Griot
3.)  Tom Pidcock
 
Pretty poor result for  Nino Schurter who could only finish in 12th 

Pal Arinsal Mountain Bike World Cup
 
Women's Elite Cross Country
 
1.)   Mona Mitterwallner
2.)  Alessandra Keller
3.)  Pauline Ferrand Prevot
 
Great weekend for  Keller after her win in the short track but a relatively disappointing result for  Puck Pieterse who came home in 7th.

Time to talk horses.....because I've either spent way too much time looking into the Modern Pentathlon or I've pledged to help the French government out by reducing their current excess wine lake 
 
42 horses were included in the initial line up for the Jumping Test. These will be reduced to 18 selected and 4 reserves. Of the 42, 4 were either withdrawn or failed to finish the course so will be unlikely to be selected for use in the final. Add to that, one was way faster than the rest of the field so probably won't get used and there were a fair few who basically knocked every possible pole down. 
 
So although I don't take part in any of the prediction contests, I am going to take a stab at predicting the horses that will be used for the finals
 
Tonka - 1 refusal and 1 knock down in the jumping test. Used 3 times in 2022 British Championship and had 11 faults, 33 faults and an elimination. Probably one to avoid.
Arthur - Clear round in jumping test. Used 3 times in in 2022 BC and had single pole down each time. One of the best horses in the field.
Rupert - 1 fence down in test. Used twice in 2022 BC and brought down 2 poles each time so not a disaster.
Layla - Quicker than most of the field so may not be selected but she brought down 2 poles, so decision could go either way. Probably not a disaster if drawn.
Verdi - Another quick round, but not error free having brought down a pole in jumping test. Again, not a disaster if drawn.
Oscar - Good draw - just the one pole down in the jumping test and set a good pace.
Kitty - A bit slower than some of the other horses in the field, but only had 1 pole down so most riders would be happy with the draw.
JB - Clear round in the jumping test but a little bit slower some of the others in the field but a good draw nonetheless.
P - Single fence down in a steady pace so definitely worse horses in the field.
Gracie - 2 fences down and a refusal in the jumping test would suggest this would be one to avoid.
Daisy - Single refusal and quite slow. Good riders could probably nurse her round safely but equally could be dangerous.
Star - 1 fence down in jumping test but racked up bigger scores when used in 2022 BC Open. Probably one to avoid if possible.
Branston - a refusal and a knockdown in the jumping test - so not a disaster, but equally probably not one you would celebrate drawing.
Genius - 2 fences down in the test. Not a bad selection.
Jimmy - Single fence down so with good handling, could go clear. Likely to be regarded as a good draw.
Roland - 2 fences down towards the end of the test could raise questions on stamina. Probably one to avoid.
William - 2 fences down in the jumping test so whilst not a disaster if selected, there are stronger options in the field.
Cruise - Similar card to William above so not a disaster but not the best.
Roo - Dropped the first pole and then went clear so should be regarded as a good draw.
Derwin - Clear round in steady pace - would be very pleased if selected.
Miller - 1 fence down towards later stages of the test so could produce a decent round.
Jack - As Miller above, 1 fence down in the test so no reason to think couldn't produce a good round.
Clarke - Had a refusal and a knockdown in the test so would probably be one to avoid if possible.

Hugs - the horse which was resulted in the elimination of Gulyas will not be used in the men's event. Splash and Freddie have both been kept in. 

Women's Final - Standings After Swimming 
 
1)    Elena Micheli - 230 pts + 287 Ridings + 286 Swim = 803 pts (Quota)
2)    Mariana Arceo - 230 + 293 Riding + 4 FB + 274 Swim = 801 pts
3)    Zhang Mingyu - 225 + 286 Riding + 10 FB + 279 Swim = 800 pts
4)    Olivia Green - 225 + 293 Riding + 279 Swim = 797 pts (Quota)
5)    Rebecca Langrehr - 235 + 286 Riding + 268 Swim = 789 pts
6)    Kerenza Bryson - 230 + 286 Riding + 6 FB + 266 Swim = 788 pts
7)    Laura Asadauskaite - 225 + 291 Riding + 270 Swim = 786 pts (Quota)
8)    Alessandra Frezza - 245 + 272 Riding + 265 Swim = 782 pts (Ineligible) 
9)    Alice Sotero - 200 + 285 Riding + 2 FB + 293 Swim = 780 pts (Quota)
10)  Ilke Ozyuksel - 205 + 293 Riding + 279 Swim = 777 pts
10)  Jess Varley - 225 + 272 Riding + 272 Swim = 769 pts
11)   Emma Whitaker - 200+ 292 Riding + 274 Swim = 766 pts
12)   Kim Sunwoo - 225 + 260 Riding + 2 FB + 279 Swim = 766 pts
14)   Salma Abdelmaksoud - 200 + 272 Riding + 277 Swim = 749 pts
15)   Laura Heredia - 200 + 272 Riding + 10 FB + 265 Swim = 747 pts (Quota)
16)   Anna Maliszewska - 215 + 263 Riding + 269 Swim = 747 pts
17)   Blanka Bauer - 185 + 264 Riding + 273 Swim = 722 pts
18)   Michelle Gulyas - 225 pts + Eliminated (3 Refusals) + 286 Swim = 511 pts (Quota)

Women's Final - Standings After Fencing Bonus Round
 
1)    Mariana Arceo - 230 + 293 Riding + 4 FB = 527 pts
2)    Kerenza Bryson - 230 + 286 Riding + 6 FB = 522 pts
3)    Rebecca Langrehr - 235 + 286 Riding = 521 pts
4)    Zhang Mingyu - 225 + 286 Riding + 10 FB = 521 pts
5)    Olivia Green - 225 + 293 Riding = 518 pts (Quota)
6)    Alessandra Frezza - 245 + 272 Riding = 517 pts (Ineligible) 
7)    Elena Micheli - 230 pts + 287 Ridings = 517 pts (Quota)
8)    Laura Asadauskaite - 225 + 291 Riding = 516 pts (Quota)
9)    Ilke Ozyuksel - 205 + 293 Riding = 498 pts
10)  Jess Varley - 225 + 272 = 497 pts
11)   Emma Whitaker - 200+ 292 Riding = 492 pts
12)   Kim Sunwoo - 225 + 260 Riding + 2 FB = 487 pts
13)   Alice Sotero - 200 + 285 Riding + 2 FB = 487 pts (Quota)
14)   Laura Heredia - 200 + 272 Riding + 10 FB = 482 pts (Quota)
15)   Anna Maliszewska - 215 + 263 Riding = 478 pts
16)   Salma Abdelmaksoud - 200 + 272 Riding = 472 pts
17)   Blanka Bauer - 185 + 264 Riding = 449 pts
18)   Michelle Gulyas - 225 pts (Quota) Eliminated (3 Refusals)
 

Women's Final - Standings After Riding
 
 
1)    Mariana Arceo - 230 + 293 Riding = 523 pts
2)    Rebecca Langrehr - 235 + 286 Riding = 521 pts
3)    Olivia Green - 225 + 293 Riding = 518 pts (Quota)
4)    Alessandra Frezza - 245 + 272 Riding = 517 pts (Ineligible) 
5)    Elena Micheli - 230 pts + 287 Ridings = 517 pts (Quota)
6)    Laura Asadauskaite - 225 + 291 Riding = 516 pts (Quota)
7)    Kerenza Bryson - 230 + 286 Riding = 516 pts
8)    Zhang Mingyu - 225 + 286 Riding = 511 pts
9)    Ilke Ozyuksel - 205 + 293 Riding = 498 pts
10)  Jess Varley - 225 + 272 Riding = 497 pts
11)   Emma Whitaker - 200+ 292 Riding = 492 pts
12)   Alice Sotero - 200 + 285 Riding = 485 pts (Quota)
13)   Kim Sunwoo - 225 + 260 Riding = 485 pts
14)   Anna Maliszewska - 215 + 263 Riding = 478 pts
15)   Salma Abdelmaksoud - 200 + 272 Riding = 472 pts
16)   Laura Heredia - 200 + 272 Riding = 472 pts (Quota)
17)   Blanka Bauer - 185 + 265 Riding = 450 pts
18)   Michelle Gulyas - 225 pts (Quota) Eliminated (3 Refusals)

Women's Final - Horse Selection
 
1)    Alessandra Frezza (Ineligible) - Tonka: As above, not a great selection
2)    Rebecca Langrehr - Nikki: Had 1 refusal and a refusal with knockdown in test but twice jumped clear at Brit Champs las year so could be OK.
3)    Kerenza Bryson - Arthur: As above, potentially one of the best horses in the field.
4)    Elena Micheli (Quota) - Rupert: As above, not a bad draw with good chance of clear round.
5)    Mariana Arceo - Layla: As above, quick but made a couple of mistakes. Could be decent round.
6)    Olivia Green (Quota) - Oscar: As above, a good draw.
7)    Laura Asadauskaite (Quota) - Harley: 3 fences down in the jumping test and was eliminated at the 2022 BC so probably not a great draw.
8)    Michelle Gulyas (Quota) - Hugs: Potentially one of the best horses in the field with good pace and just 1 pole down in jumping test.
9)    Jess Varley - Charm: Potentially one of the best horses in the field having jumped clear in the test in the fasted time. Good chance of clear round.
10)  Zhang Mingyu - Jimmy: As above, likely to be regarded as a good draw with just 1 down in the jumping test.
11)   Kim Sunwoo - Splash: Was a horror show in the jumping test with 5 poles down and am surprised they made the cut. Could definitely be tricky round.
12)   Anna Maliszewska - Roland: As above, 2 fences down at the end of the test suggests there are better horses in the field.
13)   Ilke Ozyuksel - Cruise: As above, not a bad draw with just 1 pole down in the jumping test.
14)   Salma Abdelmaksoud - Freddie: Surprised he made the cut after 6 fences down in the test. Potentially going to be difficult round.
15)   Emma Whitaker - Derwin: As above, was clear and steady paced in the test so can be regarded as decent draw.
16)   Laura Heredia (Quota) - Prince: Was clear and fast in the jumping test, so can be regarded as a very good draw.
17)   Alice Sotero (Quota) - Miller: As above, single fence down so should be able to produce good round.
18)   Blanka Bauer - Jack: As above, single fence down in the test so decent prospect for good round.

Women's Team Result
 
Gold:  Italy - 4221
Silver:  Great Britain - 4207
Bronze:  Hungary - 3537

Women's Final
 
Gold    Elena Micheli (Quota)
Silver   Alice Sotero (Quota)
Bronze   Kerenza Bryson - Qualifies for Paris
 

Men's Team Result
 
Gold:  Egypt - 4530
Silver:  Great Britain - 4450
Bronze:  Korea - 4450

Men's Final Result
 
Gold:        Jo Choong - (Quota)
Silver:      Emiliano Hernandez - Qualifies for Paris
Bronze:   Mohanad Shaban - (Quota)
 
 
 

Men's Final After Swim
 
1)    Jo Choong - 235 + 293 Riding + 4 FB + 306 Swim = 838 pts (Quota)
2)    Emiliano Hernandez - 230 + 293 Riding + 2 FB + 303 Swim = 828 pts
3)    Lee Jihun - 230 + 293 Riding + 302 Swim = 825 pts
4)    Jung Jinhwa - 230 + 286 Riding + 307 Swim = 823 pts
5)    Mohamed Elgendy - 235 + 283 + 2 FB + 294 Swim = 814 pts 
6)    Mohanad Shaban - 235 + 268 Riding + 310 Swim = 813 pts (Quota)
7)    Jun Woongate - 230 + 265 Riding + 8 FB + 310 Swim = 813 pts
8)    Ahmed Elgendy - 210 + 282 Riding + 6 FB + 313 Swim = 811 pts
9)    Zhang Linbin - 235 + 279 Riding + 2 FB + 293 Swim = 809 pts
10)   Marvin Dogue - 215 + 293 Riding + 2 FB + 297 Swim = 807 pts (Quota)
11)    Valentin Belaud - 230 + 279 Riding + 296 Swim = 805 pts
12)   Giorgio Malan - 200 + 286 Riding + 2 FB + 312 Swim = 800 pts (Quota)
13)   Myles Pillage - 215 + 268 Riding + 316 Swim = 799 pts
14)   Csaba Bohm - 215 + 265 Riding + 310 Swim = 790 pts (Quota)
15)   Bence Demeter - 240 + 236 Riding + 4 FB + 302 Swim = 782 pts
16)   Martin Vlach - 200 + 268 Riding + 295 Swim = 763 pts
17)   Charles Brown - 205 + 250 Riding + 2 FB + 303 Swim = 760 pts
18)   Roman Popov - 205 pts + 0 Riding + 2 FB + 304 Swim = 511 pts

Men's Final After Fencing Bonus Round
 
 
1)    Jo Choong - 235 + 293 Riding + 4 FB = 532 pts (Quota)
2)    Emiliano Hernandez - 230 + 293 Riding + 2 FB = 525 pts
3)    Lee Jihun - 230 + 293 Riding = 523pts
4)    Mohamed Elgendy - 235 + 283 + 2 FB = 520 pts 
5)    Jung Jinhwa - 230 + 286 Riding = 516 pts
6)    Zhang Linbin - 235 + 279 Riding + 2 FB = 516 pts
7)    Marvin Dogue - 215 + 293 Riding + 2 FB = 510 pts (Quota)
8)    Valentin Belaud - 230 + 279 Riding = 509 pts
9)    Mohanad Shaban - 235 + 268 Riding = 503 pts (Quota)
10)    Jun Woongate - 230 + 265 Riding + 8 FB = 503 pts
11)   Ahmed Elgendy - 210 + 282 Riding + 6 FB = 498 pts
12)   Giorgio Malan - 200 + 286 Riding + 2 FB = 488 pts (Quota)
13)   Myles Pillage - 215 + 268 Riding = 483 pts
14)   Csaba Bohm - 215 + 265 Riding = 480 pts (Quota)
15)   Bence Demeter - 240 + 236 Riding + 4 FB = 480 pts
16)   Martin Vlach - 200 + 268 Riding = 468pts
17)   Charles Brown - 205 + 250 Riding + 2 FB = 457 pts
18)   Roman Popov - 205 pts + 0 Riding + 2 FB = 207 pts

This comment did not age well 

Men's Final After Horse Riding
 
 
1)   Jo Choong - 235 + 293 Riding = 528 pts (Quota)
2)   Emiliano Hernandez - 230 + 293 Riding = 523 pts
3)   Lee Jihun - 230 + 293 Riding = 523pts
4)  Mohamed Elgendy - 235 + 283 = 518 pts 
5)   Jung Jinhwa - 230 + 286 Riding = 516 pts
6)   Zhang Linbin - 235 + 279 = 514 pts
7)   Valentin Belaud - 230 + 279 Riding = 509 pts
8)   Marvin Dogue - 215 + 293 Riding = 508 pts (Quota)
9)  Mohanad Shaban - 235 + 268 Riding = 503 pts (Quota)
10)  Jun Woongate - 230 + 265 Riding = 495 pts
11)  Ahmed Elgendy - 210 + 282 Riding = 492 pts
12)  Giorgio Malan - 200 + 286 Riding = 486 pts (Quota)
13)  Myles Pillage - 215 + 268 Riding = 483 pts
14)  Csaba Bohm - 215 + 265 Riding = 480 pts (Quota)
15)  Bence Demeter - 240 + 236 Riding = 476 pts
16)  Martin Vlach - 200 + 268 Riding = 468pts
17)  Charles Brown - 205 + 250 Riding = 455 pts
18)  Roman Popov - 205 pts - Eliminated 3 Refusals 
 
Horror show for  Demeter who basically dropped every pole and  Popov who was eliminated after 3 refusals.

Men's Final Horse Draw
 
1)  Bence Demeter - 240 pts: Derwin: 1 fence down and 1 time penalty in the women's event.
2)  Mohanad Shaban - 235 pts (Quota): Prince: 4 fences down in the women's event.
3)  Jo Choong - 235 pts (Quota): Miller: 2 fences down and 1 time penalty in the women's event.
4)  Zhang Linbin - 235 pts: Jack: 5 fences down and 1 time penalty in the women's event.
5)  Mohamed Elgendy - 235 pts: Motown: In as a replacement for Hugs. Was quickest in the jumping test with a single fence down. 
6)  Valentin Belaud - 230 pts: Tonka: refusal and 1 fence down in the women's event. Also incurred 11 time penalties
7)  Lee Jihun - 230 pts: Nikki: 2 fences down in the women's event.
8)  Jung Jinhwa - 230 pts: Arthur: 2 fences down in the women's event.
9)  Jun Woongate - 230 pts: Rupert: 1 fence down and 6 time penalties in the women's event.
10)  Emiliano Hernandez - 230 pts: Layla: 1 fence down in the women's event.
11)  Marvin Dogue - 215 pts (Quota): Oscar: 1 fence down in the women's event.
12)  Csaba Bohm - 215 pts (Quota): Harley: 1 fence down and 2 time penalties in the women's event.
13)  Myles Pillage - 215 pts: Charm: 4 fences down in the women's event.
14)  Ahmed Elgendy - 210 pts: Jimmy: 2 fences down in the women's event.
15)  Charles Brown - 205 pts: Splash: 5 fences down and 5 time penalties in the women's event.
16)  Roman Popov - 205 pts: Roland: 2 fences down, a refusal and 13 time penalties in the women's event.
17)  Martin Vlach - 200 pts: Cruise: 1 fence down in the women's event.
18)  Giorgio Malan - 200 pts (Quota): Freddie: 4 fences down in the women's event.
 
 
The  athletes haven't had the best draw - particularly Pillage and Brown who could easily lose big points if it goes the same way as the women's event. Of the top ranked athletes, Demeter likely to be pleased with his draw, as will Mohamed Elgendy. In contrast,  Zhang and Shaban may have got the worst luck at the top of the table. 

Can't we all just accept that  had a p**s-poor Championships and move on? Much as we all enjoy the endless back and forth exchange of random and largely irrelevant stats it doesn't really move the conversation on much further. 
 
With Mihambo out injured, they just don't currently have the depth of squad that they used to but they do at least have medal prospects for next year.