Under-23 Lightweight Women’s Quadruple Sculls (BLW4x) – Final

Italy and Switzerland had won their respective heats three days ago with Italy recording a faster time. On that day the water was rather rough. Today, with perfect conditions the race was on for the medals. These scullers had to make sure they were the correct weight before racing. France took a small early lead, but it was Switzerland who got to the first 500m mark in the lead. The Swiss then took a full boat length lead with Great Britain in second. Italy, the reigning under-23 World Champions, was back in fourth. Switzerland still had the lead going through the middle of the race as Italy began to move up and into second. Italy has retained Giorgia Lo Bue from the 2015 winning boat and they started to gain on Switzerland through the third 500. Striking 35 the Italians continued to gain on the Swiss.

Had Switzerland gone out too hard too soon? Great Britain was now being left behind but they still had a chance of holding on to bronze. With 250m left to row Italy had drawn level with Switzerland. They then pulled ahead of the Swiss. Switzerland had no reply. Meanwhile Germany came storming down the outside to take bronze. Paola Piazzolla, Asja Maregotto, Allegra Francalacci and Gerogia Lo Bue had set a new under-23 World Best Time. Their time of 6:27.28 was the new standard.

Results: ITA, SUI, GER, CHN, FRA, GBR

Asja Maregotto, Italy, Gold
“We were behind off the start, and then we made a huge push and started coming back. We cant believe we are bringing home the gold.”

Pauline Delacroix (s), Switzerland, Silver
“We only trained together for 5 weeks, before that I was alone in the single. The other girls are still very young, but very experienced.”

Leonie Neuhaus (s), Germany, Bronze
“The last 500 was so fast and so hot. It was the best race we could have wished for. We’ve only been training for 3 weeks together and this was our first regatta together.”