Men’s Coxed Four (BM4+) – Final

At the start Italy fronted the field, followed by France, with New Zealand slowest off the blocks. By the middle of the race the Canadians (Anderson, Thorton, Barakso, Schrijver and Koudys) had taken over in the lead with Italy following so closely in second.  Canada finished fifth last year and they knew a medal was within their grasp for 2014.

Then Italy began to slip and instead it was New Zealand, who had arrived in the final through the repechage, was gaining. The New Zealanders had to come back from a very slow start and they were making the best of the remaining water. Coming into the final sprint, Canada was under threat from New Zealand with a second extremely close battle going on between the rest of the field. The sprint was the decider. Rating 44 Canada crossed the line first. New Zealand, rating 41 was second and a very, very happy France got the better of the battle for bronze. On the medals podium there was no doubting all three crews’ joy in their medals.

Results: CAN, NZL, FRA, GBR, USA, ITA

Gold – ANDERSON, Trofym (bow seat) (CAN)
We were able to stay fresh because our coach is amazing. Our training programme was perfect and we stayed together. We are grateful to be together.

Silver-MCINNES, Patrick (3 seat) (NZL)
We have a massive sweep programme in New Zealand and I think that has influenced us as developing athletes. We all train together and every week we compete prognostically, and that is key.

Bronze-JACQUOT, Paul (2 seat) (FRA)
We had a difficult start so it was even more unbelievable to medal. I was looking in the crowd to my parents, looking to know if we had won. The first word that comes to mind: unbelievable.

B-Final

A very solid race in the repechage had Germany miss out on the A-final by just 0.26 of a second. The German’s raced their own race from start to finish absolutely dominating Russia. Coxed by 15-year-old Hans Espig, the Germans kept the pressure on right to the end with a very appreciative crowd acknowledging their effort.

Results: GER, RUS