New Zealand eight send message at World Champs

World Champions for the women, the United States set themselves up as the crew to beat while New Zealand almost shook the status quo when their men challenged the reigning World Champions, Germany.

Women’s Eight (W8+) – heats

The top two boats in each of these two heats would earn a direct path to the finals and reigning World Champions the United States raced in heat one. The United States has been on a winning streak after beating arch-rivals Romania at the 2008 Olympic Games. They hold the World Best Time in this event and today they dominated the first heat. With Mary Whipple  as coxswain the crew of Glessner, Musnicki, Logan, Lofgren, Ritzel, Redman, Polk and Goodale left the start in the lead and settled into a strong 36 stroke rate pace. China put up a bit of a challenge at the start, then Great Britain tried to catch up. But the Americans were too quick. They go directly to the final along with Great Britain in second.

In heat two Canada came out firing on all cylinders. The Canadians have received a lot of attention as they are rowing with a new style of oar. The Concept2 oars are shorter and thinner and have caused a buzz around the boat park. Canada finished second at the final Rowing World Cup so other crews knew that they were fast. But the Canadians were up against Romania. The Romanians have long been a powerful force in the women’s eight and they were doing all that they could to haul in Canada.

Canada, however, were able to counter every move that Romania made and the Canadians crossed the line in front of Romania. Canada and Romania earn a spot in the final.

Men’s Eight (M8+) – heats

This event had two heats with the top boat only from each heat going directly to the final. Lining up in heat one was the current World Champions, Germany. They have come here unbeaten since their 2009 championships win including September’s European Championships. There is no doubt Germany were the favourites. And with that the Germans took off in the lead from the start with China also leaping out. The Chinese managed to stay with Germany through the first half of the race before being hauled in by New Zealand.

This young New Zealand crew made up mainly of under-23 rowers plus the experienced Olympian Sean O’Neill, brought the crowd to their feet and as the 1500m buoy flashed by the New Zealanders grabbed the lead. It has been a long-term dream of New Zealand Rowing to bring through a top men’s eight but no one expected it to be this crew. Co-coaches Dave Thompson and Mark Stallard said they’d be very happy just to make the final. But Germany had no intentions of giving up. The Germans raised their stroke rate and fought back. Coming to the line the World Champions had managed to save face. Germany moves directly to the final. New Zealand, in second, earn the love of the crowd, and will return for the repechage.

Australia has been rebuilding their eight and the crew tested their racing prowess in heat two. At the start Australia had the lead but it was not long before Great Britain powered past. The British crew has earned a number of medals this season with the coaches reshuffling throughout and finally settling on Ritchie, Ransley, Searle, Sbihi, Foad, Nichol, Clarke, Broadway and coxswain Phelan Hill.

Once in the lead Great Britain really got into their stride and by the end they had broken clean of Australia to earn the one qualifying spot.