Preview day 8: Women’s single, lightweight men’s and women’s double and men’s four

Leading up to these Olympic Games, the men’s four was turning into a two-way battle between Australia and Great Britain. The Australian’s, with 1996 gold medallist from the four Drew Ginn in the boat, beat Great Britain’s flagship crew of Andrew Triggs Hodge, Pete Reed, Tom James and Alex Gregory the last time they raced before London. Then in the semifinals these two crews raced each other with the British coming out on top. But does this race spell a Great Britain advantage or tactics on the part of Australia?
 

With Australia and Great Britain likely to be out in front the performance of the United States four at this regatta has been very positive. It is likely that the United States will be in the medals but with the potential for Germany to come though.
 

The lightweight women’s double sculls has seen Sophie Hosking and Katherine Copeland of Great Britain performing above expectations at Eton Dorney. In the semifinals they beat the reigning World Champions, Alexandra Tsiavou and Christina Giazitzidou of Greece. These two crews could be the frontrunners. But keep an eye out too for Denmark. Juliane Rasmussen is a three-time Olympian and her new partner Anne Lolk Thomsen comes to rowing from being an Olympic kayaker. They step up with every race they row. 
 

This event could also see China winning its first medal at this regatta with Dongxiang Xu and Wenyi Huang able to medal if they have the race of their lives.
 

The lightweight men’s double sculls has seen World and Olympic Champions, Zac Purchase and Mark Hunter of Great Britain regularly doing battle against 2009 World Champions, Storm Uru and Peter Taylor of New Zealand. Through this season, however, Purchase and Hunter have been underperforming, but at Eton Dorney they look back on track to defend their title with a win in the semifinals. Also stepping up at this regatta have been the Danes. Beijing bronze medallists Mads Rasmussen and Rasmus Quist are in top form and have medal potential. But the depth of talent does not end there. In the semifinals only four seconds separated the six finalists. A blitzing sprint will be necessary to win this event with France, Portugal and Germany all very much on the pace. 

 

For the first time in years the women’s single sculls is completely up in the air. Throw all six names in the air and that’s about as good as predictions get. Six-time Olympian and multiple World Champion, Ekaterina Karsten of Belarus has the credentials, but a rib injury has seen her having a slow season so far. Australia’s Kim Crow is the new kid on the block. She has already medalled in the double yesterday and has shown she has the credentials to do well in the single. 
 

China’s Xiuyun Zhang comes to these Olympics from winning both Samsung World Rowing Cups this season that she entered and, if she has a good race, this 1996 Olympic medallists could be on the podium. Then there’s Fie Udby Erichsen of Denmark who had a fabulous race a couple of days ago to win her semifinals. But the one to beat is the fastest qualifier from the semis, Mirka Knapkova of the Czech Republic.  Knapkova is the reigning World Champion and, along with her coach, Tomas Kacovsky, they have been carefully planning for this one race.