Judging by the celebrations in the GB boat after winning the women's four, it is fair to think that they were cheering about more than the gold medal--it's a pretty big deal to beat the US in anything in women's sweep these days.
Wow, what a move from GBR. USA is trying to catch back up, but GBR move to open water with 500m to go. They have open water on field.
— World Rowing (@WorldRowing) August 27, 2016
And after the GB women's eight finished a strong second in Rio behind the US, this win drives home the fact that GB vs. USA could be THE rivalry in international women's sweep rowing in the coming years.
Pretty much sums it up #Rotterdam2016 pic.twitter.com/QWGk5kC7UB
— Imogen Walsh (@imogenwalsh) August 27, 2016
The GB also won the Men's Coxed Pair and the Women's Lightweight Quad; that gave the GB four medals (three gold, one bronze) from eight Senior events in Rotterdam, meaning the top of the medal table. The M2+ gold also gives the GB gold in three of the four international men's sweep events this year after Olympic gold in the M8+ and M4-.
Read about another tremendous day at #Rotterdam2016 as #GBRT Seniors win 3 #gold & 1 #bronze https://t.co/JU6SWkZKhv pic.twitter.com/3DL3GnVWmw
— GB Rowing Team (@GBRowingTeam) August 27, 2016
Admiration (perhaps with a twinge of jealousy at times) abounds for the GB crews this summer, which have been incredibly impressive to watch in 2016, across all levels. The £millions that have been spent are certainly part of the overall picture, but it's no longer just a matter of throwing money at rowing and hoping to go fast. It IS fast, and while the GB is not immune to athlete squabbles, selection controversies, and all the other problems, large and small, which can bedevil any type of national sporting organization, things are seemingly kept tight, focused, and above all, progressing forward at all times.
For now, there's no question that in terms of organization, athlete development and overall performance, GB Rowing is setting the worldwide standard.
For the US crew of Kristine O’Brien, Coco Schoeller, Emily Huelskamp and Molly Bruggeman it was a somewhat heavy-hanging silver medal; with the success of the US Women's 8+ comes a program-wide expectation of winning all the time, which is admirable, but not always the way sports work.
Silver! Congrats to @mobruggie and her @usrowing boat mates W4- #Rotterdam2016 pic.twitter.com/D4JOmMl4xX
— Notre Dame Rowing (@NDRowing) August 27, 2016
Nonetheless, a silver at worlds, Olympic event or not, is an achievement, and it hopefully translates into a desire to keep sticking the oars in down the road.
After the silver in the women's four, it was a medal drought for the US today. Mary Jones used a huge headwind sprint to claw her way back into fourth place at the finish line in the Lightweight Women's Single, but came up just about half a second short of what would have been a well-earned bronze medal behind Katie Sauks of Canada. NZ's Zoe McBride repeated as world champion, with Sweden's Emma Frid in silver.
The US coxed pair of Tom Peszek, Yohan Rigone and coxswain Lou Lombardi finished fifth. The US LW4x finished fifth, and the US LM2- finished sixth.
For all of the world best times earlier in the week, today was a different story: a big headwind made for heavy going, and though the water stayed calm, it was anything but comfortable; with five of the eight events on tap today being lightweight events, you'd have to think that the rowing gods have a wicked sense of humor.
There's been a lot of good-natured talk about the Irish O'Donovan brothers interviews, but these guys can row something fierce; Paul O'Donovan threw down a "don't give a damn" piece in the headwind to take the Light Men's Single by open water, rowing upwards of 35 for most of the race.
And he does it. O'Donovan takes gold, silver will go to HUN & SVK will sprint through for bronze. What a RACE. #Rotterdam2016 #PullLikeADog
— World Rowing (@WorldRowing) August 27, 2016
Also, check out our interview with Paul O'Donovan after his win today.
USA Crews shine in Junior Semis
The Juniors took to the water in the afternoon following the Senior finals for the A/B semis to determine the final lanes for the final day of Finals here at #MegaWorlds, whew.
With the wind persisting, FISA flipped the lanes again, this time putting the favored crews on the lane 6 side of the course: "Due to the prevailing cross winds, the Fairness Committee has re-allocated the lanes for the afternoon session from Race 374. Lanes are prioritized from the finish tower side."
The USA Juniors had another great day, sending five crews through to the A-Finals, and the 13 finals tomorrow will see a total of eight US crews racing for medals.
Don't look now - but the U.S. just advanced a record-high NINE junior crews to the finals. https://t.co/1oDa5JYRm1 pic.twitter.com/hYN4KPjA6Z
— USRowing (@usrowing) August 27, 2016
The US Junior Women's four of India Robinson, Kelsey McGinley, Sarah Ondak, and Abigail Tarquinio won their semi handily and hope to be one of the medal favorites for tomorrow.
For the USA Junior Men's Quad of Clark Dean, Zachary Skypeck, Andrew LeRoux,and David Orner, their win in the semi today means that the crew has at least equalled the best US finish ever in this event, a 6th place achieved twice previously.
Likewise for the USA JW2x of Emily Delleman and Caroline Sharis; in winning their semi they became only the second USA junior women's double ever to make the the Junior World final.
It's the US women leading the first semi of the JW2x. Then Italy and Denmark. But Italy is sprinting!
— World Rowing (@WorldRowing) August 27, 2016
The USA Junior Men's Four of Ian Low, Evan Dwinell, Sean Hayes, and Cooper Ball, and Junior Men's Pair of Christian Tabash and Joseph Johnson both finished second in their semis and will race for medals tomorrow.
Eliza Kallfelz quest for a second final in Rotterdam came to an end today with a fourth place finish in a tough semi, which featured the European Champion and current world best time holder. Talking with row2k before her semi, her coach (and dad) Andrew Kallfelz reflected on the week in Rotterdam.
"It's been a busy week, and I'm thrilled, obviously, to be here, and honored that my kids asked me to coach," said Kallfelz. "We're all lucky that so far it's worked out very well. I'm very proud of them, especially Eliza, for being willing to double up. I think it was very exciting and a really steep challenge for her, but she's had fun with it so far."
Also missing out today were the USA JW4x, who had a tough time of it on the non-favored side of the course in Lane 1, as well as Narragansett's Jack Luby, who could not match the leading scullers.
Rotterdam is Awesome
Through seven full, long days of rowing, athletes, coaches as well as the Dutch organizers and volunteers have kept the show running, and fun; well done all!
US Juniors coach Cass Cunningham reflected the general feeling of the athletes and coaches about the experience. "I think this is probably one of the best venues I've seen; the layout, the venue, just everything has been so extraordinary," said Cunningham. "The hospitality, the way the boats have been laid out, the course, the layout of the buses, I just think it's been a really well-run regatta and such a beautiful venue to watch the races. I think what makes it special is that they took a piece of land and they just built this entire venue for international or club experience, so they have enough space for boats, enough space for cars, enough space to have people who want to come and watch the sport and just enjoy by having a beverage and sitting down, and big screens all over the place for the athletes to watch, even in the boat yard. It's just awesome."
USRowing Juniors team manager Nick Haley concurred. "I think the mountain that the organizers had to climb was a very steep mountain, and this is a beautiful facility. I understand that they're operating at 150% of capacity, and they're pulling it off. It's fantastic. There have been little issues that you find in most regattas, and I think they're handling those challenges one at a time. Clearly, they're working very, very hard."
Last day of #MegaWorlds tomorrow, with the Junior A-Finals starting at 4:45am EST, set your alarms!
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