On a day that many expected to be marked by a handful of USA heats wins, Australia dominated the top of the results sheets with four victories in lightweight, women's, and open men's events.
Croatia and Australia
The shocker of the day, without question: Croatia's near-handling of the vaunted US men's eight.
Although the US eight didn't appear to have the almost easy speed of year's past, don't put it past the US men to do some triage through the week; in 1997, the crew placed third in the heat, second in the rep, and still won the gold. Today, only two second off the day's best time, they're hardly out of it
Watching these races, I'd say we have a four-way race for any of three medals spots: Croatia, Australia, Great Britain, and the US. Don't be surprised if a heats winner is out of the medals - in fact, don't be surprised at anything in this event this year.
Oof: Women's Eights
Once again, Romania dominated. In what I would say were similar conditions, their winning time was some five seconds faster than the other heat.
The United States eight looked fine, even quite good, in the early going, but faltered dramatically in the middle 1000 meters. By the time the finish line came, they were out of gas, and maybe out of the joy of the hunt, placing third of three, six seconds off the Dutch.
Danes in Reps: Lightweight Four
As in the men's and women's pairs yesterday, South Africa blasted out of the blocks on fire, and led the US, Denmark, and Italy for the first half of the race. They dropped back late, but not before sending the Danes to the rep. Italy won, and the US came second looking competent, if perhaps failing to string together a complete race.
Despite recent reports that the Danes might be back on track, it looks like their reign is over. Their rhythm is forced and a little jerky - it just looks like the magic is missing. They are one of only five crews in the 14 -boat field to go to the reps.
France looked great, making a strong case for the pole position as favorites; and Australia domoinated the Austrian boat enough to take the wind out of them, permitting the Dutch crew to row through the Austrians. Look for the Austrians to come on strong later this week; same for Canada.
US and Romania Headed for Showdown: Lightweight Women's Doubles Garner and Collins got it done in typical style today; as I've answered all week when asked how they look, I say "They look like Sarah and Christine." They threw it down today, inspired by a chase from the Aussies, and went straight to the semis with the fastest time of the day.
Romania and Germany won the other heats; Romania crushed the field, crossing the line around 30 beats per minute.
Poles Weigh In: Lightweight Men's Double
The Polish double, which won in 1997 and 1998 before scratching last year due to weight problems, rowed to an easy win in their heat. Unfortunately, the US was in the same heat, finishing fifth eight seconds back. As Chris Milliman said, "they're in the deep end of the pool now."
Australia looked great in their heat; Bruce Hick, 1996 gold medal stroke, is back stroking this crew.
Italy's winning time in the third heat absolutely crushed everyone else. They won by eight seconds in Lucerne, a ridiculously margin for lightweight racing - they look like they could be on track to win the Games in similar fashion.
From the Single to the Quad: Women's Quad
Irina Fedotova's move into the women's quad from the single just two weeks ago was enough to help them win the final, but I predict a fierce battle for gold in the final, as the Germans hardly look ready to hand over the spot on the top podium. The Ukrainian crew made a good case for themselves as medalists.
The US crew looked flat today, placing third in their heat 11 seconds behind Russia; they head to Wednesday's rep.
First Abbagnale to Go Three? Men's Quad
Agostino Abbagnale is trying to one-up his older brothers to become the first Abbagnale to win three golds, and got a good start today. Abbagnale won in 1988, the only non-Germanic Olympic quad gold in history, and again in 1996 in the double after taking seven years away from the sport due to a blood clot in his leg. The Italians look stunning in winning their heat in the fastest time.
The Germans, while strong, look a little forced, and might be missing some of the natural speed it will take to win gold. They did win their heat, a nice birthday present for stroke Andre Willms, who turned 28 today. It feels like he's been around forever, with two Olympic golds; it's hard to believe he's only 28.
Australia took their third of four heats wins today in the third heat.
The US crew qualified directly to the final placing thrid in the heat with Italy behind the Swiss. Their time was third fastest in their heat (obviously), but also third fastest on the day, so this finish might be better than it appears at first glance.
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