Bahain fast and Balmary back at French Champs

France set their best rowers against each other in small boats at the recent French Championships with Julien Bahain finishing again at the head of the men’s single field. Held at Aiguebelette, bid venue for the 2015 World Rowing Championships, racing was over two days and included adaptive and junior races as well as senior races.
Bahain is last year’s bronze medallist from the men’s double sculls and racing at the French Championships in singles, Bahain finished just ahead of his doubles partner, Cedric Berrest who was one second down. This is the fourth consecutive title for Bahain as France’s top single sculler and he commented after his race that he had moments of concern as he has had to take time off to pursue some career objectives but he added, “I have high expectations of the international season.”
Matthew Androdias, 20, finished third just four seconds behind Bahain. This third place is likely to bode well for Androdias in upcoming national team selection. Androdias spent last season swapping between the double, quad and single.
The women’s single has been an open slate ever since the retirement from elite rowing of Sophie Balmary in 2008. This year Marion Rialet came out on top by a healthy eight-second margin. Rialet comes from under-23 success with a bronze medal in 2009. Second and third went to Helene Lefebvre and Pauline Bugnard respectively.
Meanwhile the women’s pair saw the return of Balmary, 31, who took time out after the birth of her child. Balmary chose to team up with Roxane Gabriel and their second-place finish was five seconds down on Marie Le Nepvou and Stephanie Dechand who raced together for some of last season in the pair.

The rest of the story here: worldrowing.com