Havana, October 25 (JIT)-- A very close race was the protagonist this Tuesday between the Chilean and Cuban boats in the final of the four-row coxless rowing event of the XIX Pan American Games. 

Located in lanes six and five, in that order, the two boats breathed each other's breath from meter one to two thousand, in which they delivered an almost photo finish.

The Chileans dominated the race until after the first 1,000 meters, when the Cubans took the lead and crossed the buoy located at 1,500 meters with a narrow advantage.

Then came the fiercest stage of the battle, in which the tips of the boats lined up again and again until the locals made the final effort and crossed the finish line in front. 

In the midst of the local hullabaloo, the clocks showed a winning time of 5:58.18 minutes, slightly better than that of the Cubans (5:58.68) and better than that of the Uruguayans (6:01.91). 

Angel Luis Garcia, president of the Cuban federation of this sport and national commissioner, regretted losing by so little in the event, but recalled that the plan was to enter the podium and it was fulfilled.

The Cuban boat was made up by Andrey Barnet, Leduar Suarez, Carlos Ajete and Reydi Cardona, all of them protagonists this Monday of the crown in eight long rowing with coxswain, so that they climb for the second time to the podium in this race. 

Garcia also commented that this Wednesday, the final date of rowing, Cuba will take part in the finals A of the double sculls (m and f) and in the unprecedented mixed eight, in his opinion a "box of surprises". He acknowledged his hopes of returning to the awards podium.

On Tuesday, Cardona and Ajete qualified for the A final of the double sculls as second in their elimination heat. With a time of 6:40.64 minutes, they escorted the U.S. duo of Mark Couwenhoven and Casey Fuller (6:32.77).

In the semifinals of one pair of short sculls, Ana Laura Jimenez finished last in her heat with a time of 8:32.92 minutes and advanced to the B final.  

In the two pairs of lightweight short sculls, Carlos Rodríguez and José Pérez lost in the B final to Peru.

Four years ago, in Lima 2019, Cuba captured 10 medals (2-3-5), a haul impossible to match now.