Not a great day for the U.S. team in the Group A semifinals (all events that have a Saturday final), save for Lisa Schlenker's solid victory in the lightweight women's single. In order of racing:
Women's Lightweight Single
May as well lead with the good news. After watching the wind switch during the day after her heat, Lisa Schlenker told me that she wouldn't mind if conditions stayed that way. It's no wonder; the indoor rowing world record holder would understandably not complain if she was forced to race in a headwind.
Today, Lisa got her headwind and made the most of it, leading from post to post, and racing to the fastest split time in all three of the first 500 meter stretches.
Women's Single
Leslie Burns-Rawley went out looking like she was ready to go the distance in a hellish semifinal that included the German Katrin Rutschow, defending world champ Fedotova, and the hometown fave Marnie McBean. Very much in striking distance in fourth place at the 1000, Leslie said she tried to stage her move, but couldn't find any speed, and thought she hadn't recovered from Tuesday's amped up performance in the rep. There will be some good quotes from Leslie in my NBC report, which I'll link up when it's published.
Leslie will need to place in the top three in the B final to nail down a guaranteed Olympic slot for the US.
Men's Single
Jamie placed fourth, just 0.52 seconds ahead of a late-charging Greg Searle, but failed to make the A final, despite what both he and coach Scott Roop described as a good race. Jamie's time in today's brisk headwind matched his time in the tailwind in the heat, but CAN Derek Porter appeared to be on a mission, and the Bulgarian Ianakiev, who seems to have arrived at this Worlds, went with him for most of the way.
Jamie will need to place 11th or better to qualify the US for the Olympics in the single. This should be well within his ability.
Women's Double
The United States double of Cindy Brooks and Carol Skricki were unfortunately never really in the hunt on this one. They were only two seconds out of the third-place qualifying spot at the 500, but were open water out by the 1000, and almost 10 seconds out by the finish line.
They'll need to place in the top two in the B final to win the Olympic slot.
Women's Pair
Sally and Lianne tore out of the gates to over a half-length lead on everyone, but couldn't sustain their boat speed over the second 1000, and fell off qualifying pace to finish fourth, into the B finals. The crew will need to place in the top two in the petites to earn an Olympic berth.
Men's Double
A hellacious race and a brutal draw, with the monster duo of Luka Spik and Itzok Cop in the Slovenia double. The US double went to the 500 in third, faded to fourth through the middle thousand, and then posted the fastest final 500 of the day for the doubles to miss qualifying for the A final by 0.36 seconds.
The crew protested the race, however, due to a wake from the announcing/TV launch that was two lanes over from their Lane 6 position. The protest was disallowed by FISA.
Men's Lightweight Single
Bill Belden's string of victories came to an end today as Bill placed fifth in his semi, into Saturday's B final. I didn't get a chance to talk to Bill after the race, but the splits indicate that he was never quite out of the running, but also never really threatened for the top 3 qualifying positions. He finished just under 3 seconds out of the A final, behind the Czech, Danish, and German scullers.
Men's Pair
As reported this morning, Sebastian Bea replaced Cyrus Beasley in the pair today, and the crew started with a bang, winning their semi to advance to the C final. It's not that surprising; Sebastian was in a fast pair with Ted Murphy at trials, and they had rowed together for only 6 days. Sebastian is a "no sweat" kind of guy; you could tell him he was going to be the lead singer for Guns n Roses tonight, and he'd grow his hair out and go for it.
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