BY FREEMAN MAKOPA ZIMBABWE’S rowers are in high spirits after putting up a stellar performance at the Italian Piediluco Memorial Regatta held in Piediluco, Italy, from April 16 to 18. The Zimbabweans took part in the event that attracted athletes from Belgium, France, Benin, Ivory Coast, Morocco, Namibia, Tunisia and hosts Italy. Rowers Association of Zimbabwe (RAZ) president Andrew Lorimer said  he was elated by the team’s performance in Italy. “Zimbabwean rowers competed in Piediluco, Italy, and Peter Purcell Gilpin won a silver medal in the Sunday A final of the men’s single scull (M1x) event. Well done to our rowers and to our coaches James Stephenson and Karl Offord. A big thank you to coaches and Emily Brace, the RAZ administrator in the United Kingdom, who made sure Zimbabwean rowers attend the regatta at Piediluco. A very big thank you to the Italian Rowing Federation, World Rowing and to ZOC (Zimbabwe Olympic Committee) for assisting our rowers so much in travelling to Piediluco. It was good to see rowers from Benin, Ivory Coast, Morocco, Namibia, Tunisia and Zimbabwe taking part in this regatta and come up with good results,” he said. “We are pleased with the rowing results, particularly as this happened on the 41st anniversary of Zimbabwe’s independence. This was great rowing from our three Zimbabwean rowers and it was particularly good being achieved in Italy which is a powerhouse in world rowing. We are very grateful to the Italian Rowing Federation for inviting us to take part in this regatta,” he said. Gilpin came 5th in 7.35.39 seconds while Andy Peebles came 6th in 7.35.86secs in the M1× A final on Sunday. Steve Cox did not compete because of boat problems. The M1x A final was won by an Italian rower and the best African rower was Mohammed Taieb of Tunisia who came 4th in 7.35.13. Close race between Gilpin  and Taieb.New heats were rowed for the M1x A Final on Sunday morning. In the first heat, Gilpin rowed a blistering time of 7.01.44secs to come second in the heat and set a new Zimbabwe M1x record for the 2 000 meter Olympic distance. First in the heat was Taieb in 7.00.73 secs. The second M1x heat was slower, but still a fast race. Andy Peebles came third in this heat in a time of 7.08.48secs, while Steve Cox finished fourth in a time of 7.13.47. Lorimer said he was happy to see an improvement in the standards of local rowing athletes at international races. “It is so good to see the standard of rowing improving on the African continent all the time with strong performances at this regatta coming from Tunisia and Namibia. RAZ was particularly pleased with the performance of its athletes as this was the first time they have competed in a world-class competition since early 2020 and their performances improved in each race they rowed.” Only eight rowers participated in the A final which was won by Italy in a time of 7.21.22secs. RAZ are looking forward to select junior athletes to compete at the South African Championships from May 1 to 2 this year and to send athletes to the Under-23 World Champion