Racing for the 2017 World Championships begins on Sunday, September 24, in Sarasota, Florida. Below, we preview the M4x, W4x, LM4x, and LW4x events. Check out our additional previews of the single sculls, pair, double sculls, and four events.
THE FAVORITE – Lithuania is the favorite following wins at World Cup I, World Cup III, and the European Championships. The crew returns three of the four scullers that competed last year in the Rio Olympics.
MEDAL CONTENDERS – The strongest threats to Lithuania should come from the British and Polish quads. The British crew medalled at all three World Cups this year, including a win in Poznan and a second place finish in Lucerne, and all four scullers were 2016 Olympians.
Poland will race the same lineup that won silver at the European Championships, and bronze at World Cup III. They will be pushed for a medal by young crews from Russia, The Netherlands, and New Zealand. Russia brings its silver medal winning U23 M4x to Sarasota and the Kiwi and Dutch quads are talented, finishing fourth and sixth in Lucerne, respectively.
USA PROSPECTS – The Schuylkill Navy quad that won trials unopposed will race in Sarasota with a new combination of scullers. Two return from the crew that raced to an eleventh place finish at World Cup III. With a deep field of 15 entries, the crew of Luke Wilhelm, Erik Frid, Jonathan Kirkegaard, and Lenny Futterman will have their hands full trying to make the A Final in Florida.
2016 OLYMPICS – The German quad got out to a fast start and led the entire way down the course to take the gold medal. Australia won the silver over Estonia, who won the bronze.
THE FAVORITE – Poland is the clear favorite following their sweep of all three World Cup events in 2017. Two of the four scullers raced in the 2016 Polish quad that won the bronze medal at the Rio Olympic Games.
MEDAL CONTENDERS – Several other talented quads will take their shot at Poland in Sarasota. The Dutch have raced well in 2017, finishing second at World Cup I, World Cup III, and the European Championships. They return two scullers from last year's Olympic silver medal winning crew. The Australian crew took the bronze in Lucerne and silver in Poznan, and should be quick in Sarasota.
The Germans are the Olympic champions in the event, but bring an all new crew to Florida in 2017. They have had a pretty inconsistent season so far, but won the European Championship, so the potential is there.
USA PROSPECTS – The American lineup of Elizabeth Sonshine, Emily Huelskamp, Maureen McAuliffe, and Kara Kohler are a pretty typical W4x, in that their first race as a crew will be at the World Championships. There is a mix of experienced and new athletes, led by Kohler, who won an Olympic bronze medal in this event back in 2012. Huelskamp has some senior team experience as well, winning two medals in the four including gold in 2013. Both Sonshine and McAuliffe will be racing at the senior level for the first time.
2016 OLYMPICS – Poland started out fast and led the field through 1500 meters before getting reeled in by both Germany and The Netherlands. Germany won the gold over the Dutch by just over a second. Poland took home the bronze.
THE FAVORITE – Tough to handicap such a huge field, but the Italians are the likely favorites following their win at World Cup III in Lucerne.
MEDAL CONTENDERS – France was close to Italy in Lucerne, and has a crew with quite a bit of experience in the event, with three holdovers from 2016's silver medal winning boat. Another likely medal contender are the Greeks, who feature three scullers from the 2014 world champion LM4x.
The Czech quad won the bronze in Lucerne, and brings all four athletes to Sarasota, two of whom raced in Rio. Then the Germans and Australians also made the final and should be competitive for a spot on the podium.
USA PROSPECTS – The American entry of Will Young, Jacob Georgeson, Jack Ruske, and Brendon Harrington won trials unopposed. They will now face a massive field in an event that has recently been on the smaller side, typically around ten entries or so. Making the A Final will be difficult but not impossible.
THE FAVORITE – With just one 3-boat final at World Cup III, there's not a lot of data to go on to point to a favorite. That being said, Australia defeated Great Britain and Japan in Lucerne, and bring the same lineup to Florida, so the Aussies are the likely favorites for gold.
MEDAL CONTENDERS – The British, who finished second in Lucerne look to be a strong and experienced crew as well, and should challenge the pace in the final. The wild card boat should be the Chinese crew, who feature two athletes that are doubling up in the LW2x, and won that event at World Cup II in Poznan.
USA PROSPECTS – The American quad made up of Kathryn Schiro, Jillian Zieff, Cara Stawicki, and Jennifer Sager have no senior team experience and will be looking to qualify for the A Final in Sarasota.
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