Summary of Olympic finals and races involving U.S. crews on Saturday, August 16, 2008. All times are Beijing local time.
Lightweight Women's Double Scull Final B - 14:30
For places 7 -> 12
Lane 1 - Japan (KUMAKURA/IWAMOTO) Lane 2 - Australia (HALLIDAY/HOUSTON) Lane 3 - Denmark (OLSEN/RASMUSSEN) Lane 4 - United States (HYKEL/GOLDSACK) Lane 5 - Great Britain (GOODSELL/CASEY) Lane 6 - Cuba (VELAZQUEZ/MARRERO)
-The Danes and the Aussies are the favorites to win the Light women's double. The US should have their hands full to finish in the top three, but it should be competitive with Japan and Great Britain.
Lightweight Men's Four Final B - 14:50
For places 7 -> 11
Lane 1 - Italy Lane 2 - Australia Lane 3 - Ireland Lane 4 - China Lane 5 - United States
-The Chinese and Australians are the favorites to win the B final of this event but the Irish and Italians could easily take the win as well. The first 500 for the Americans in the semifinal plagued them again, giving up 3 seconds to the 5th place crew. If they can figure out the start in the final, they can contend for the top spots.
Women's Single Sculls Final A - 15:30
For places 1 -> 6
Lane 1 - Czech Republic (KNAPKOVA) Lane 2 - United States (GUERETTE) Lane 3 - China (ZHANG) Lane 4 - Belarus (KARSTEN) Lane 5 - Bulgaria (NEYKOVA) Lane 6 - Poland (MICHALSKA)
-The first rowing medals of the games are won here. Karsten will be the favorite in this event until someone beats her. Her most recent challenges have come from Bulgaria and Czech, but Michelle Guerette and Zhang from China have both shown the speed to compete for the medals so far at the regatta.
Men's Single Sculls Final A - 15:50
For places 1 -> 6
Lane 1 - Belgium (MAEYENS) Lane 2 - Norway (TUFTE) Lane 3 - Sweden (KARONEN) Lane 4 - Czech Republic (SYNEK) Lane 5 - Great Britain (CAMPBELL) Lane 6 - New Zealand (DRYSDALE)
-Prior to the start of racing, Mahe Drysdale of New Zealand was the clear favorite in this event having won the last three world championships. Drysdale's form has been off so far this week due to an illness from last weekend and he barely held on to the final qualifying spot. This race is now wide open. Karonen of Sweden had the fastest semifinal time, but depending on what the conditions are like on race day, anyone could take the gold.
Women's Pair Final A - 16:10
For places 1 -> 6
Lane 1 - Great Britain (REEVE/WHITLAM) Lane 2 - New Zealand (HAIGH/COLES) Lane 3 - Romania (ANDRUNACHE/SUSANU) Lane 4 - Belarus (BICHYK/HELAKH) Lane 5 - China (WU/GAO) Lane 6 - Germany (WECH/DERLIEN)
-Romania and Belarus dominated the heats and are the favorites to battle for the gold medal. They will be pressed hard by both China and Germany for the top spots and three of those crews are the most likely to finish in the medals.
Men's Pair Final A - 16:30
For places 1 -> 6
Lane 1 - South Africa (KEELING/di CLEMENTE) Lane 2 - New Zealand (TWADDLE/BRIDGEWATER) Lane 3 - Canada (CALDER/FRANDSEN) Lane 4 - Australia (GINN/FREE) Lane 5 - United States (WINKLEVOSS/WINKLEVOSS) Lane 6 - Germany (LEHMANN/DRAHOTTA)
-The Australian pair of Drew Ginn and Duncan Free have yet to be tested so far, winning both their heat and their semifinal somewhat comfortably. They are the favorites. Expect the main challenge for the gold to come from their rival Kiwis and the Canadians. The Canadians will look to push the pace hard in the first thousand and hang on, but will it be enough in the Olympic final? The American twins could compete for a medal. Their race plan in the semifinal was the exact opposite of the Canadians; pace until the last 500, then unleash their sprint.
Women's Double Sculls Final A - 16:50
For places 1 -> 6
Lane 1 - Germany (THIELE/HUTH) Lane 2 - Great Britain (LAVERICK/BEBINGTON) Lane 3 - New Zealand (EVERS-SWINDELL/EVERS-SWINDELL) Lane 4 - China (LI/TIAN) Lane 5 - United States (KALMOE/TOMEK) Lane 6 - Czech Republic (ANTOSOVA/VAREKOVA)
-The race for the women's 2x gold should come down to China and New Zealand. New Zealand has been the crew to beat in this event for the past several years, and they looked great in their heat. China dominated the World Cups this year, so expect a good race between the two. The remaining four crews all have the capability of medaling but will be off the pace of gold and silver.
Men's Double Sculls Final A - 17:10
For places 1 -> 6
Lane 1 - Great Britain (WELLS/ROWBOTHAM) Lane 2 - Estonia (ENDREKSON/JAANSON) Lane 3 - Australia (CRAWSHAY/BRENNAN) Lane 4 - France (MACQUET/HARDY) Lane 5 - Slovenia (SPIK/COP) Lane 6 - New Zealand (WADDELL/COHEN)
The men's double final will be a fantastic race. New Zealand was the pre-Olympic favorite, but they struggled in their semifinal and almost finished fourth. The French and Australians were the semifinal winners and should be in the medal hunt, but all six crews should be packed in pretty tightly.
Men's Four Final A - 17:30
For places 1 -> 6
Lane 1 - France556 Lane 2 - Australia Lane 3 - Slovenia Lane 4 - Great Britain Lane 5 - Czech Republic Lane 6 - Germany
-Great Britain's flagship four posted the fastest semifinal time by 2 seconds and are favored to take the gold on Saturday. After that, it is anyone's guess as to silver and bronze. Slovenia looked impressive winning their semifinal, but it was a slower semifinal than the Brit's. Expect to see all five crews gunning at Great Britain from the first stroke.