Lightweight Men's Four of Spain
Alvaro Romeo Garcia, Jaime De Haz, Ander Zabala Artetxe and Imanol Garmendia Maiz (ESP) celebrate winning the BLM4- at the 2014 World Rowing Under 23 Championships in Varese (ITA).

Then Spain, who finished fourth in 2013, pushed into the lead with Great Britain (last year’s silver medallists) now the nearest challengers for the lead. Now Italy started to pick up the pace and with every mention the crowd would react – loudly. Spain, however, still managed to hold the lead. 

The sprint was down to the line and what a sprint it was. Spain’s Romero Garcia, De Haz, Colard and Resendiz did it. Gold for Spain. Great Britain, at a 40 stroke rate, only just held off Italy who in turn only just held off Germany. What a finish. Congratulations to Spain who have diligently worked their way into the gold position.

Results: ESP, GBR, ITA, GER, JPN, TUR

Gold – ZABALA ARTEXTE, Ander (3 seat) (ESP)
It’s a dream. I feel wonderful. We worked really hard. The last 100 metres were absolutely incredible.

Silver – CASSELLS, Joel (stroke seat) (GBR)
We tried to take the lead out of the start, and I think we did well. We executed the race plan well, but Spain had the legs. I was nice to overturn Italy who beat us last year. But it was a good race by all.

Bronze – GRAVINA, Guido (bow seat) (ITA)
Our competitors were very strong. We started to win.

B-Final 

The repechage earlier in the week saw Switzerland and the United States just miss out on qualifying for the A-final and with this knowledge the United States and Switzerland were at the head of the field. Then Bonorris, Tewksbury, Mann and O’Donoghue of the United States pushed completely away from the rest of the field. Rating 38 at the finish, the United States had annihilated the field – an unusual occurrence in lightweight rowing. 

Results: USA, SUI, FRA, CAN, HUN, NOR