Supreme dominance – the women’s eight

This winning streak is exceptional for its length in the world of rowing and made the women’s eight the top performing boat for the USA. And this is despite the crew experiencing regular athlete turnover. Clearly the USA has a pool of talent, quality coaching and a training system that has been conducive to success.

And yet, although the USA has dominated the women’s eight field in recent rowing history, another nation still tops the medals table at the Olympic level. Romania won three successive Olympic gold medals in this boat class: at the Atlanta Games in 1996, the Sydney Games in 2000 and the Athens Games in 2004. Although the USA has won more recently at London 2012 and Beijing 2008, Romania has more Olympic medals overall to their name, with an additional two silver medals and one bronze medal.

Historically, the USA has won just two World Championship medals less than Romania – 20 compared to 22 – since 1974. Yet, the USA has become World Champions more times than Romania, nine compared to Romania’s seven. Although Romania last became World Champions back in 1999, they continue to consistently reach the podium – the years where they did not have been exceptions.

Canada has been another force in the women’s eight, but with a couple of gaps. They did not medal at World Championship or Olympic level between 2004 and 2009, only to come back in 2010, medalling at each World Rowing Championship regatta (three silvers and one bronze) and winning Olympic silver in 2012. Historically Canada has become Olympic Champions once in the women’s eight, in 1992, and World Champions also one time the year before, in 1991. Inching their way out of their regular silver-medal finish and into gold is what they continually work hard to achieve.

In the past ten years Great Britain has also medalled at World Championship level, but are still relative newcomers to the podium. They have a total of three bronze medals to their name. They have yet to win an Olympic medal in this event.

The 2014 season debuted at the European Rowing Championships in Belgrade, Serbia, for the women’s eight. Romania led throughout the final ahead of Great Britain with Germany earning bronze. This gave Romania their eighth consecutive European Champion title in this event.

The United States raced World Rowing Cup II in Aiguebelette, France only. When they lined up alongside their main rivals Canada, the world of rowing was eager to evaluate the 2014 form of the USA compared to Canada. Nearly all of the members of both the USA and Canadian crews were doubling up in other events, mainly the women’s pair. How would this impact their performance in the eight?

Canada started out in front with the USA back in fourth. It wasn’t until the last 500m that the USA managed a massive push to edge past Canada at the line to take gold by a canvas. Great Britain took bronze.

“It took all nine of us,” said USA’s Kerry Simmonds. “We were in it together, all rowing on a fairly emotional level. Katelin [our cox] called it just right.”

“We went out there today, knowing that we had our work cut out,” said Natalie Mastracci from Canada. “We had our best race possible and we’re really proud of that.”

Great Britain had hoped to do better. “We went out hard and had a good start, but we lacked the rhythm from Belgrade,” said Katie Greves. “It was frustrating. We know we can row a lot better than that.”

At World Rowing Cup III in Lucerne, the USA did not compete. Canada led the final throughout, with the fight for silver and bronze going on between Romania and Great Britain. In the final stretch of the race it was Romania’s experience that paid off – they pipped Great Britain to the line by two tenths of a second, claiming silver.

It was the first time that the Canadian women’s eight had won in Lucerne: “The A-final is tough because the whole field pushes for it but we had a bit more of an incentive because the Canadian women’s eight has never won in Lucerne before,” said Lisa Roman.

Romania revealed that their team composition would change for Amsterdam: “This is not the crew for the World Championships,” said Andreea Boghian. “At the Worlds we will have another team. I think it shows how strong Romanian women are.”

Great Britain thought they could have done more: “We are really disappointed with the race. We know we could have rowed a lot better,” said Rosamund Bradbury. “We are going to keep on trying to be the best team we can be.”

But a newcomer to the field was on the verge of upsetting the status quo.  

China came to Amsterdam with a fresh crew – about half of its members appeared internationally for the first time in 2014. They raced once before Amsterdam at World Rowing Cup II in Aiguebelette, finishing in fourth, only one tenth of a second behind Great Britain. This was a clear sign of their potential.

In the World Rowing Championship final, the United States were dominant. Their first position remained unchallenged throughout and they finished one boat length ahead of the rest of the field. Behind in silver was Canada, and in bronze China. None of the other crews in the final were able to catch the three leading boats. Romania finished fourth, Russia fifth and Great Britain sixth.

China had won its first World Championship medal in this boat class since 1989. China’s hiring of German coach Hartmut Buschbacher had clearly paid off.

What does 2015 hold? Will Canada break the USA’s winning streak? Will China maintain their level? Will Romania medal again? Will Great Britain manage to display their potential? Stay tuned!

2014 World Rowing Championships women’s eight final

2014 World Rowing Cup, Lucerne, SUI, women’s eight final

2014 World Rowing Cup, Aiguebelette, FRA, women’s eight final