Men's Eight (M8+) - Final

Only five Olympic qualification spots were available. For the Netherlands, New Zealand, Russia and Italy it was all about not coming last. For Germany and Great Britain it was all about gold. Russia had a stunning start to get their bow ball in front with Germany also getting away quickly. Germany, at 40 strokes per minute then got ahead. Great Britain then did a push to counter the German move. Meanwhile it looked like Italy was the crew that was outside of qualifying.

Coming through the middle of the race Great Britain had pushed away to get a couple of seats ahead of Germany with New Zealand now equal with Germany. In the third 500 New Zealand did another push. Germany countered it and coming through to the final sprint Germany moved back into second. Now the Dutch were coming. In the close of the race Germany was moving on the British with every stroke. The winner was decided by just 0.18 of a second. The British successfully defended their title. Then in a photo finish for bronze, the Netherlands came through to win the medal by just 0.13 of a second over New Zealand. Italy missed out on Olympic qualification. 

Results: GBR, GER, NED, NZL, RUS, ITA

B-final

Poland had a fast start taking off just ahead of France with the United States in hot pursuit. Poland, rating 39, continued to lead through the middle of the race with the US now pushing through into second. The United States has won a slew of medals at the Olympic Games, but for Rio they would now have to qualify through the Final Olympic Qualification Regatta in May next year. In a push to home, the US went to a 43 stroke rate and overtook Poland and moved away from them. The Poles, still on 39, hung on to second. 

Results: USA, POL, AUS, FRA, ESP, CHN

Matthew Gotrel (b)- GBR – gold
“We just executed our race plan. It was the best row we’ve ever had. We had a lot of pressure, but it is the best job I’ve ever had.”

Maximilian Reinelt (3) – GER – silver
“We had a good start and a good first thousand. At halfway we tried to go, but we were half a length behind and this was too much. It is ok, but we wanted to win.”

Dirk Uittenbogaard (b) – NED – bronze
“We just focused on us, at the finish, the cox told us, one man to go, bow ball to go, you’re in front. I feel exhausted, empty, but proud.”