Rowing star Birgit Skarstein has a longer road than expected towards a potential Paralympics final after she did not manage to advance directly from Friday’s heats.
Ukrainian Anna Sjeremet trailed the Norwegian athlete for most of the heat but finished strongest. The Ukrainian thus secured the important advancement directly to the final.
Skarstein was clearly affected after crossing the finish line but had regained her smile and laughter when she was interviewed by NRK a few minutes later.
– It was tough, and the conditions out there were very strange. It was a bit unpredictable and close, Skarstein said.
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Skarstein finished second in the heat. Only the fastest from each heat advances directly without having to row again for a spot in the final.
– I thought she would have this decided with 1000 meters to go. This was an awakening, said NRK’s expert Johan Flodin after the heat.
Skarstein competes in the PR1 class and is the reigning Paralympic champion after winning gold in Tokyo three years ago. The 35-year-old also has six World Championship golds on her resume and is the favorite to defend her Paralympic title.
However, Skarstein has not had an optimal buildup to this year’s major highlight. Just before Christmas last year, she suffered a leg fracture while testing the martial art judo. The injury occurred when she threw her opponent onto her own leg.
She was back in the boat in April when she defended her European Championship gold, before facing tough competition in the single sculls final at the World Cup in Lucerne, Switzerland, where she finished third.
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Two months later, Skarstein suddenly found herself without coaches as the Norwegian Olympic rowing team grew larger than expected due to strong performances. Legend Olaf Tufte then stepped in to assist the Paralympic rower in her preparation and during the ongoing championship.
Skarstein became paralyzed from the waist down in 2009 but has partial feeling in her leg.
The repechages take place Saturday morning, while the Paralympics final is scheduled for Sunday.