Olympic dreams continue for some

With clearer skies and temperatures in the high 20s Celsius these rowers raced for a second time for a second chance of advancement. By the end of racing two crews' 2008 Olympics had come to an end while others continued with their Olympic dream.

LIGHTWEIGHT WOMEN’S DOUBLE SCULLS (LW2x)

The top three in each of these two repechages would advance to the semifinal. All other boats would go to the C Final.

Repechage 1

Finland’s Sanna Sten and Minna Nieminen missed out on qualifying for the Athens Olympics by just one place. This motivated the duo to remain training together for another four years. It has paid off. They qualified last year for Beijing. Today Sten and Nieminen took off in the lead and settled into a strong 30 stroke rate pace. The United States took up chase. Renee Hykel and former British national team rower Jen Goldsack of the United States came together in partnership earlier this year and after winning the American trials they qualified for Beijing at the last chance qualification regatta in June.

Sten and Nieminen remained at a 30 stroke rate as the higher rating Americans kept in very tight contact. Meanwhile Japan’s Misaki Kumakura and Akiko Iwamoto pushed past South Africa to take third. Kumakura and Iwamoto just missed out on qualifying for Beijing at last year’s World Rowing Championships by just .05 of a second. They then went to the Asian Olympic Qualification Regatta and easily earned a spot in the Olympics. Today they moved away from South Africa to establish themselves firmly in third.

Coming into the line Hykel and Goldsack pushed past the unreactive Finns to finish first. The United States, Finland and Japan advance to the semifinal.

Repechage 2

Making an early showing, Chrysi Biskitzi and Alexandra Tsiavou of Greece got off the line first with a 45 stroke rate pace. They remained at a high 38 but this did not hold off the British. Helen Casey and Hester Goodsell of Great Britain, rating lower, got their bow ahead of Greece and tried to hold off Biskitzi and Tsiavou. Biskitzi is at her fourth Olympic Games and is Greece’s most successful woman rower. The Greeks held on to Great Britain with Cuba’s Yaima Velaquez and Ismaray Marrero sitting solidly in third.

Through the middle of the race Goodsell and Casey managed to have just enough of a lead over Greece to keep an eye on any potential moves. The move came coming into the final sprint. Going to a 39 stroke rate Greece closed the gap. In the last few strokes Goodsell, in bow, was barely hanging on, waiting for the finish bubble line to appear. She held on long enough. Great Britain, Greece and Cuba advance to the semifinal.

Helen CASEY (GBR)
“In the Olympics to race is really hard, so that was not comfortable. Differently from our heat, this time our job was to go out and win. We had a really good first 1500m but then we ran out of beans a little bit too early. In the boat, Hester (Goodsell) is the strategic brain. Obviously I have to be aware of that, but I just set up the rhythm and go. Now I feel I’ve given everything but there’s more to come. We could pace ourselves better to give us a chance for a sprint at the end.”

Chrysi BISKITZI (GRE)
“We didn’t start the race so well even though we were very confident. During these races we try to focus on ourselves and not the others. I’m glad as a lightweight that we are not living in the Olympic Village with so much food available!”

Alexandra TSIAVOU (GRE)
“This is my first Olympics but the way to race is the same. There’s more pressure on me than usual but I am working on it. Chrysi (Biskitzi) and I are compatible; we don’t have the same types of body so Chrysi can recover some weight for me and this works well.”

LIGHTWEIGHT MEN’S DOUBLE SCULLS (LM2x)

These two repechages would be brutal, only the first two would make it through to the semifinal. All others would get to row again in the C/D semifinal.

Repechage 1

A big kick by Australia’s Samuel Beltz and Tom Gibson gave them the lead at the start. Beltz and Gibson have been together since 2006 and the duo finished fourth last year at the World Rowing Championships. The Australians settled into a 35 stroke rate pace and held the lead over Jonathan Koch and Manuel Brehmer of Germany. This is Brehmer’s second Olympic Games. He finished 13th in this event in 2004. As Uruguay slipped back, Germany stuck very closely to Australia using 36 strokes per minute to propel them along.

Coming into the last 500m of the race Koch and Brehmer challenged Australia for the lead. They gained it at the 1600m mark. But Australia fought back and regained the lead. Germany came back again. At the line Germany finishes first and Australia takes second. Both of these boats qualify for the semifinal.

Repechage 2

This was one race that the old saying, it’s not all over til it’s over, comes into play. What went on in the first half of the race was no reflection of what went on in the final 250m. Here is how this race panned out.

The 2005 world champions, Zsolt Hirling and Tamas Varga from Hungary took off in the lead with a high 49 strokes per minute out of the starting blocks. This gave the Hungarians a slight edge over Cuba and Japan. By the half way point the Hungarians had moved away to half a boat length lead in this classy field which included Japans most successful rower, Daisaku Takeda.

With Hungary in first and Japan in second, the final 500m sprint came into view. Four boats were beginning to bunch together – Hungary with a slight lead and also Japan, Cuba and Portugal. Just 300m were left to row. Pedro Fraga and Nuno Mendes of Portugal must have found a second wind. They began to move. Cuba’s Eyder Batista and Yunior Perez followed suit. Portugal had showed the power of their final sprint at the Final Olympic Qualification Regatta in June and they were now rating 42 strokes per minute in these head wind conditions. The Hungarian leaders couldn’t hold on.

In a complete change of order Portugal and Cuba had done it. These two boats go to the semifinal.

Eyder BATISTA VARGAS (CUB)
“The opposition, especially Hungary, is very strong, and Portugal also has a very good boat. It was good to come second. We are both quite small so have no problem with weight. Communication is very important in our boat; we both decide on the tactics.”

Zsolt HIRLING (HUN)
“We’re usually an A-Final team and we’ve improved a lot since Poznan. In the last quarter something went wrong but we really don’t know what yet; we don’t understand why we came fourth.”

Pedro FRAGA (POR)
“Our heat was more difficult than the repechage. Today it was good to get close to the teams and we managed to sprint at the end and win, just as we did in Poznan at the Qualifying Regatta. Now we have more will to win and more motivation. We had one and a half months to prepare for the Olympics after Poznan but a lot of other teams have had a year. We are in good shape and want to get the best result for Portugal. The Olympic Village is spectacular and a lot of fun.”

LIGHTWEIGHT MEN’S FOUR (LM4-)

Repechage

In this four boat repechage the top three would advance to the semifinal. Whoever came fourth would end their Olympic Games for 2008. Tension was definitely in the air. Early to show was the Netherlands. The Dutch finished eighth in 2007 which gave them an Olympic berth and a year to prepare.

Coming through the middle of the race, less than two seconds separated the top three boats of the Netherlands, Ireland and the United States, with Egypt off the pace. Then in the third 500m Ireland, rating 36, took the lead. There appeared to be little the Dutch could do to hold on to the Irish. Raising their rate to 39 Ireland managed to cross the finish line with over a boat length lead. This is definitely unusual in lightweight racing. Ireland, the Netherlands and the United States advance to the semifinal. The Olympics are over for Egypt.

Ivo SNIJDERS (NED)
“This was much better than in our heat when we had a weak start. We were much happier at the start today and felt really solid. We’ll need to improve to make the Final. We know we are good enough to be in the top five but have to prove it to ourselves. No one is the brains of this boat, we try to leave the brains out of it! Maybe that’s what went wrong in our heat – too much thinking.”

Gearoid TOWEY (IRL)
“We usually have a very good second half of a race, so when we were second at 1000m we were confident we could win. It is a different kind of wind today than in our heat. Our main focus in a race is to keep strong and long. It’s frustrating to have all the food around in the Olympic Village, especially Peking Duck. But I know that next week I will be able to eat loads of high fat and unhealthy food.”

WOMEN’S QUADRUPLE SCULLS (W4x)

Repechage

In this repechage the top four boats would advance to Sunday’s A Final. The two remaining crews would get to race again in the B Final.

Germany was the first to show at the start. Sitting in three seat of this crew is the most medalled woman rower of all time. Kathrin Boron, 38, is going for her fifth Olympic gold medal. Coach Jutta Lau won this event (then the coxed quad) herself at the 1976 and 1980 Olympics as part of East Germany. Germany are the reigning Olympic Champions. With that the Germans got out to a full boat length lead by the half way point. Only the United States were anywhere near challenging the Germans.

Behind the USA in second a close battle was going on between Australia and Ukraine, in third and fourth respectively. This battle continued until the line. Advancing to the final on Sunday are Germany, the United States, Australia and Ukraine. Going to the B Final is Canada and Russia.

Stephanie SCHILLER (GER)
“That was a good race! We wanted to win and we’ve done it. We can still improve for the Final. Racing at the Olympics is quite different from other regattas. There are a lot of people in the tribune and it helps a lot.”

Janine HANSON (CAN)
“Out there we raced as a team and did the best we could. All of our passion and skill were in that race and we’re happy with the result. In Canada we don’t have a sculling programme. Our coach Carsten Hassing came only two years ago and qualified us. We hope he will be hired again. Everything at the Olympics is unbelievable; it’s so exciting to wear the Canadian uniform and to be able to race for our country.”

Krista GULOIEN (CAN)
“We want to come back; we are not done yet with the Olympics.”

MEN’S QUADRUPLE SCULLS (M4x)

Repechage

At the end of this race whoever came last, their Olympic dream would be over. With that in mind these four crews jumped out at the start. Going through the first 500m mark the Czech Republic, Estonia and Slovenia were virtually in a line across the field. Only Cuba was slightly back. By the time the half way point came into view Slovenia had dropped back a bit and Estonia and the Czech Republic remained practically neck and neck.

Then Slovenia ran out of steam. Cuba must have been boosted by this. Coming into the final sprint Cuba went for broke. Overtaking the Czech Republic, Cuba moved on leaders Estonia. They didn’t quite make it to first, but the Cubans qualify of the semifinal. Estonia, Cuba and the Czech Republic go to the semifinal. Slovenia’s 2008 Olympic Games are over.

Kaspar TAIMSOO (EST)
“As the results show, we felt a lot better now than in our heat. We got onto a good rhythm and found good speed. This has given us confidence for the semi-final. The Olympic Village is more than amazing; it’s just so different on all levels. There is lots to do and we can chill out, play games, meet other athletes and have less time to get nervous. This helps us concentrate better when we are at the venue.”

MEN’S EIGHT (M8+)

Repechage

There was a lot at stake in this race. The Australians wanted to shake off yesterday’s disaster when rudder problems put them out of the race. The Poles had a lot to prove being the first eight at the Olympics for their nation in years. The United States are the defending Olympic Champions and this will be the last time coach Mike Teti coaches this boat. The Germans prioritise this boat. China has built a whole national Olympic campaign around this boat.

About five and a half minutes from now four boats will be going to the A Final. The remaining two crews will have to race in the B Final.

The United States made an early showing in their dark blue boat with Germany’s “Purple Wave” boat moving with them. Crossing the first 500m mark there was very little in it with less than one and a half seconds separating the entire field. Then going through the half way point Poland and China began to fade with the United States and Australia remaining neck and neck at the head of the field. A push by the Australians in the third 500 gave them the lead. The United States hung on.

In a huge sprint to the line, the Chinese crowd out-roared any other country. The United States took their rate to 39, China fought back at a 42 stroke rate. Australia hung on with 37 strokes per minute. The Germans could do nothing to hold on. The United States crossed the line in first. Australia took second. A photo finish between China, Poland and the Netherlands awarded third to the Dutch and fourth to Poland. The crowd was quiet. USA, Australia, the Netherlands and Poland go to the A Final.

Jeremy STEVENSON (AUS)
Our goal was to get out in front in this race and stay there. We had a great third 500m where the boat was very responsive. In our heat we had a mechanical failure and had to stop before we crashed into Canada. Our motto is ‘Length, Power, Timing.’ It feels really good to be at the Olympics. I know there is a lot of pressure from the media but that helps us to stay alert.”

WOMEN’S PAIR (W2-)

In these wo repechages a top two finish was required for crews to progress to the A Final on Saturday. The rest of the crews would get to race in the B Final. This race was rescheduled to the last race of today after the eights were postponed causing the pair to change due to some crews doubling up and racing in their country’s eight and pair.

Repechage 1

Starting off at the back of the field is sometimes not a bad thing. The New Zealanders, Juliette Haigh and Nicola Coles found this out. Off the pace at the start, Haigh and Coles let Australia, France and Great Britain get away from them. By the half way point early leaders Australia remained at the head of the field with France not able to hold the pace. This gave Haigh and Coles the opportunity to move into third.

Going through the third 500 a 36 stroke rate pace put Haigh and Coles into the lead. The New Zealand duo raced to sixth at the 2004 Olympic Games, then became world champions the following year. They vowed to stick it out until Beijing. Holding on to the New Zealanders were Great Britain and Australia. Then with just 200m left to row Australia began to struggle. Their rating became forced and slipped down. New Zealand and Great Britain’s Louisa Reeve and Olivia Whitlam had done it. New Zealand and Great Britain move on to Saturday’s final.

Repechage 2

There was no mistaking when China’s You Wu and Yulan Gao moved into the lead. It was somewhere around the 700m mark and a roar went up from the crowd. Up until then, with China sitting in second behind Germany, the crowd was rather subdued. Now in the lead Wu and Gao settled into a relaxed and smooth looking 34 stroke rate. Germany’s Lenka Wech and Maren Derlien held on to second with the United States back a ways in third.

The crowd loved it as Wu and Gao remained easily in the lead. Going through the last 300m of the race the United States tried desperately to get into a qualifying spot. But the strain was showing. China and Germany move on to the A Final. The United States and Canada will be in the B Final.

Louisa REEVE (GBR)
“We had to believe that the Australians had gone out too hard and hold our nerve. It was frustrating to have no fast crew right next to us. It feels fantastic to be in an Olympic Final.”

Olivia WHITLAM (GBR)
“We’ve only been rowing together for 12 weeks – keeping it shiny! We swapped order 4 weeks ago and it feels like Louisa (Reeve) is stroking from the bow and I’m making the calls from the stroke seat. I haven’t stroked since 2005 so it’s interesting!”

Lenka WECH (GER)
“This wasn’t a good race, we have done much better in the past. We struggled in the first 1000m but it’s more psychological than physical, after the disappointing eights race yesterday. Being in two different crews doesn’t affect the racing that much because there’s good recovery time. But it’s hard mentally to have time to relax when there’s no day off. Our motto is ‘Have fun and be strong!’”