Image Credit: robert_rowing_photos
The 30th NWRV Indoor Cup is celebrating its anniversary this year with a technical revolution: for the first time, the event will be held on RP3 ergometers. These dynamic devices simulate water movement much more precisely than static models and are therefore considered the gold standard for predicting the upcoming regatta season, which is why the Dutch national team now conducts its tests exclusively on the RP3.
In the Junior Women’s A category (JF 1x A), we face a field featuring some of the strongest athletes in the country. The transition from the 1500m distance of the B juniors to the full 2000m of the A class is a physical and mental challenge, which is becoming even more important this year, thanks to the realistic water feel of the new ergometers. It is a stage for those talents who can combine strength endurance with the technical finesse of dynamic rowing.
Lotte Heseding (RK am Baldeneyesee)
As a newcomer in her first year as a junior A, Lotte Heseding brings impressive credentials to the start line. Last season, she dominated as a B junior, posting an extraordinary ergometer average of 1:49 minutes over 1500 metres, and crowned her achievements on the water with the title of German champion in the coxed four. The big question for the coming weekend will be how Lotte Heseding copes with the additional 500 metres on the RP3. As this machine rewards clean power transfer, her technical skills from the quadruple scull could be a decisive advantage in compensating for the physical strain over the entire 2000 metres.
Pia Kleine-Möllhoff (RK am Baldeneyesee)
Experience often plays a decisive role in Kettwig, and Pia Kleine-Möllhoff has exactly that. In her second year as a Junior A, she can look back on a strong fifth place in last year’s Ergometer Cup, where she achieved a time of 7:33.9 minutes. Pia Kleine-Möllhoff also proved that she is a force to be reckoned with on the water by winning a medal in the eights at the national championships. This boat class is known for its stamina over the second 1000 metres, for constant pressure and small gaps. On the RP3, it will depend on whether she can maintain her persistent frequency even under dynamic load.
Sophia Reineke (RK am Baldeneyesee)
Sophia Reineke is an athlete who has already proven her individual class as German champion in the coxless pair in the B junior category. This success in rowing indicates excellent strength endurance and the ability to maintain high pressure in the stroke over a long period. For Sophia Reineke, the individual race on the ergometer is an ideal platform to demonstrate her physical development in winter training. Her coaching team will be counting on her experience from the double sculls to give her the necessary toughness to make the difference in the last 500 metres.
Helena Rossetto (RV Gelsenkirchen)
Another highly interesting debutant in the A class is Helena Rossetto. After her fifth place in the B class in the last ergometer test and the gold medal in the coxed four on the water, she is undoubtedly one of the extended favourites. It will be exciting to see how she masters the transition to the RP3. If she finds her rhythm, she is a candidate who can establish herself in the top five.
Julie Spring (RC Witten)
Individual strength seems to be Julie Spring’s trademark. Helena Rosetto’s boatmate proved this with her final placement in the single sculls at the German Junior Championships. In the previous season, she finished sixth in the B category on the ergometer and has visibly gained physical strength over the winter. Her goal will be to close the gap to the podium places. The dynamics of the RP3 could suit her direct and explosive style in the single sculls.
Annika Rychwalski (Duisburger RV)
When it comes to a fast start, there is no getting past Annika Rychwalski. The finalist in the coxless pair showed one of the most aggressive first quarters in the entire field last year. For Annika Rychwalski, the challenge over 2000m will be to convert this pace into a sustainable race strategy. If she approaches the first 1000m in a controlled manner, she has the necessary reserves to make up places in the final sprint.
Prediction
This year’s field for the JF 1x A is deeper than ever before. While newcomers such as Lotte Heseding and Sophia Reineke have tremendous basic speed, Pia Kleine-Möllhoff’s experience over the full distance should not be underestimated. The switch to the RP3 will favour athletes with a natural feel for boat handling.
I expect a duel at the top between the physical strength of Lotte Heseding and the experience of Pia Kleine-Möllhoff. Based on her outstanding results as a B-junior, I see Lotte Heseding as having a slight advantage, provided she controls her pacing on the third 500m. The third podium place could go to Sophia Reineke or Helena Rosetto. Undoubtedly, it will be a race in which the seconds will be decided in the last 250 metres.
