By REY C. LACHICA
PARIS – Joanie Delgaco faded under the hot weather of the French Capital and finished dead last in the quarterfinals of the women’s single sculls of the Paris Olympics at the National Olympic Nautical Stadium of Île-de-France in Vaires-sur-Marne on Tuesday, July 30, here.
Standing only at 5-foot-5 and racing in Heat 3, Delgaco negotiated the 2,000-meter voyage in seven minutes and 58.30 – her slowest time in three races since the prelims started last Saturday.
She powered her way to the top in the repechage Sunday, clocking seven minutes and 55 seconds, but in the most important race of her life, the former volleyball setter from Iriga City just could not cope up.
The fast and furious pace set by reigning champion Emma Twigg of New Zealand and Swiss Aurelia-Maxima Janzen was just too much for Delgaco.
Twigg, who is almost a 6-footer, posted the fastest time in four heats of six players each in 7:26.89 followed by 2022 World Cup winner Karolien Florijn of the Netherlands (7:29.07) in Heat 2 and Australian Tara Signey (7:30.57) in Heat 1.
Delgaco, however, consoled herself as the second best finisher among four Asians after Anna Prakaten of Uzbekistan who clocked 7:35.91 in winding up second in Heat 4.
With the result, Delgaco was relegated to semis D/C – meaning she can still race in the battle for 13thto 24 places.
The top three finishers in each heat advance to the semis A/D – for 1st to 12 placers.
Still, Delgaco was lauded by rowing chief Pato Gregorio for her courage and determination despite the great odds she faced.
