Men's Four (M4-) - Final

When European Champions, Great Britain  and also regular finalists Germany missed out on the final after yesterday’s semifinal race, it looked like the field had really opened up to some new medallists. The Netherlands had the fastest time from yesterday’s semifinals and they got out the fastest on the calm waters of the Rotsee today.

Then Italy, who took silver at the Varese World Rowing Cup last month, got into the lead with Australia, the Netherlands and Romania well within striking distance. Half the race had gone. Which crew had the best second 1000?

With 500m left to row Australia held a small lead over Italy who were being attacked by Romania. It was going to be a full on sprint to the line as no boat looked dominating. Australia took their stroke rate to 40. Italy, one lane over, were on 42. It was going to be close. At the line Australia’s William Lockwood (silver at the London Olympics), Alexander Lloyd, Spence Turrin and Alexander Hill had scored gold. Italy took silver and Romania had the bronze medal. All three crews looked very happy in the outcome, especially Romania. This is the first medal for the Romanian in this boat class at the senior level for quite some time and it was done by the crew that took bronze at last year’s World Rowing Under 23 Championships.

Results: AUS, ITA, ROU, NED, ESP, SRB

William Lockwood (b) – AUS – gold

In Varese we just came off the plane and we raced badly. It’s great to win on the lake of the gods.

Matteo Castaldo (2) – ITA – silver  

It’s a new combination so we are delighted to win a medal. It was great to pass the Romanians in the last 500m where the headwind came. The Rotsee is like Wimbledon in tennis.

Adrian Damii (2) – ROU – bronze  

It’s amazing to be on the podium. Our strokeman said we had to use our muscles with our head and we managed to do that. We’ve only been training three weeks together.

B-Final

It is not often that we see a German crew in a B-final of the men’s four. Today it was the case after Germany finished behind Australia in yesterday’s semifinal. It is also very, very rare to see World and Olympic Champions, Great Britain in a B-final.

Results: GER, CZE, GBR, NZL, FRA, BLR