Men’s Four (BM4-) – Final

Australia set an under-23 World Best Time and they sat in the middle of the race next to the reigning World Champions in this boat class, Austria. With 250m gone Austria had the lead. Three of the crew that became World Champions remain in this Austrian boat. Then Australia picked up the pace and got to the 500m mark first ahead of Great Britain. Austria continued to stay with the bunch. The Netherlands, in fourth, remained well within a medal-winning position.

Australia’s Black, Moore, Donald, and Bakker now started to push away and going through the middle they had a rather handy advantage using a 40 stroke rate pace. This left Austria and Great Britain to chase for the minor medals. The British boat are either at Yale or Harvard Universities and have come back this summer to race for Great Britain. Coming into the final sprint Australia had more than a three second lead with Great Britain just ahead of Austria.

Australia, rating 38, had won with Great Britain, on 36, taking silver and Austria, at 39, in bronze.

Results: AUS, GBR, AUT, NED, SRB, SUI

Robert Black (b), Australia, gold
“We had a perfect race, it was completely to plan. We had rehearsed our plan throughout our campaign and I am proud of all the hard work. Today was the reward for all that we’ve done. It wasn’t won today it was won over the last three months.”

Robert Hurn (b), Great Britain, silver
“We stuck to a pretty standard race plan. We didn’t have a great second 500m, but then we pushed hard. We had all rowed together in the eight, but only been in the four for a few weeks. We had to get used to the lighter boat. I am hoping to move up into the seniors.”

Ferdinand Querfeld (s), Austria, bronze

“It was a pretty tough race. I am happy to medal after last year, we’ve only had a few weeks back in the boat together. I’m really happy to have won a medal with my little brother.”

B-final

Germany had the fastest start but then found themselves swapping the lead with Spain. Then Spain dropped off the pace and Lithuania, who had the fastest time of these crews from the semifinals, really got into their rhythm and moved into second behind Germany. Lithuania then went to 38 coming into the final sprint and overtook Germany. The Germans tried to keep up and kicked in for a big push at 40 strokes per minute. The United States then went to 42 and gained on Germany. Lithuania got to the line first.

Results: LTU, GER, USA, ITA, ESP, RSA