CUBC alumnus Jan Helmich takes gold at World Rowing Cup II in Lucerne
The “Lake of the Gods” in Lucerne set the stage for the second Rowing World Cup of the season, where CUBC alumnus Jan Helmich (Lightweight, Trinity Hall), recently named the University of Cambridge’s Sports Person of the Year, took gold for Germany in the Mixed PR3 Double Scull.
Helmich, alongside partner Hermine Krumbein, claimed bronze at last year’s Paris Paralympics. Entering World Cup II as Germany’s second-string crew, the duo unexpectedly took centre stage after the withdrawal of the top German pair, Valentin Luz and Katherine Marchand, due to medical reasons.
Despite a training hiatus following Paris, Helmich and Krumbein rose to the occasion. In a closely contested final, they edged out a strong Australian crew, clocking 7:09.41 to Australia’s 7:11.87.
“It was still a very exhausting race,” Krumbein told Row360. “Australia were also very strong. We already raced them two weeks ago in Varese, so we knew they would give us a hard time.”
Congratulations to Jan and Hermine on a well-earned victory!
The event also saw alumnae Grace Prendergast serving as commentator and Freya Keto as a reserve for the GB Women.