The 2024 USA Olympic Men's Four won the country's first Olympic gold in the event since 1960; stroke to bow, the crew was Liam Corrigan, Michael Grady, Justin Best, and Nick Mead; they were coached by Casey Galvanek from Sarasota Crew.

It was a combination of almost perfect technique, good length, superb fitness, perfect rigging and other logistics. "There was no stone left unturned."

They rowed with a very dynamic type stroke (so-called front-loaded stroke) that allowed them to lead every race, maintain the pace, and even have a good sprint as well.

The following videos were taken at beginning of July; the rowing got even better later on closer to the Games.

USA Men's Four in Practice, Taken from Port Side

Lets analyze the major points of their technique:

The Front End

At the catch, they are at the maximum forward reach position - the body angle is set, the shins are vertical, the outside arms are stretched forward, and the blades are getting into the water. In the moment when the blades get fully buried in the water, the crew kicks the footboards and suspend the body weight on the oar handles. This direct pressure on the footboards allows them to get out of blocks very fast.

Middle of the Drive

Through the entire drive it seems that they are "above the seat," utilizing the power of the legs and the suspension of the body weight on the oar handle. The whole effort goes to maintain suspension, to maintain the pressure on the blades - in contrast to the traditional approach where we talk about acceleration, about building the pressure from the catch to the finish.

The Release

Coming to release from the water, they try to keep pressure on the footboards as long as possible. This is very impressive because the boats that row with a solid pressure at the front have the tendency to cut the finish short.

USA Men's Four in Practice, Taken from Starboard Side

Another video from the starboard side: