U23 Women's Four (BW4-) - Final

Only two crews qualified directly for the A-Final from their respective heats – Australia and Canada with the fastest qualifying time. With one less race under their belt, would they have more stamina than the rest of the field? Two of Canada’s crew members raced to bronze in this boat at last year’s World Rowing Under 23 Championships. With this added experience, would they manage to make the podium yet again?

Not to be discounted were the United States, with one of the athletes in the boat, Sarah Dougherty, having been part of the 2014 golden crew. And indeed, they were the crew out in front from the get-go, despite having had to race in yesterday’s repechage. Great Britain followed in second and the two crews in the middle lanes, Canada and Australia, were swapping between third and fourth. Which one of the two would make the podium?

The United States still seemed untouchable at the half-way mark. Then Canada made their move, overtaking Great Britain and inching closer to the United States. At the line, it was the United States that took the first gold medal of these 2015 World Rowing Under 23 Championships, with Canada in silver, one medal up from last year’s podium finish, and Great Britain in bronze.

Results: USA, CAN, GBR, AUS, NZL, GER

Elizabeth Youngling (3) – USA – Gold  

“The goal was to be double world Champion in one regatta. It’s a big challenge to do many races in different boat classes, but as a collegiate rower in the US, we are used to it.”

Morgan Cathrea (2) – CAN – Silver
“It just feels awesome. It’s my first time at the World Championships. It is an amazing experience to race the best in the world.”

Samantha Courty (s) – GBR- Bronze

“It’s awesome. We had a good start and then we just stuck to the plan. We didn’t feel much pressure as we came through the reps.”

B- Final  

Romania bolted out of the starting blocks to take the lead from the get-go.  France, in lane four, followed behind in second, with Italy chasing in third. Romania held off the French until the line. Italy crossed the line in third.

Results: ROU, FRA, ITA, UKR, RUS