Women's Eight (W8+) - Final

The United States are powerful. They have not lost a major race since 2006 and at this regatta it looked like their winning streak would be maintained after they recorded the fastest qualifying time in the heats. The US pull on a huge pool of university rowers to put together this boat and word is the pool is big and the competition is intense to make this number one boat. Canada is the only crew that has been able to get close to the United States.

Today this race was more about not finishing last as the top five positions would earn Rio Olympic qualification spots. The US got off to a clean start with Great Britain able to get a small lead. By the middle of the race the United States had earned the lead with Russia at the back of the field and thus on the edge of qualifying. Then New Zealand did a big piece in the third 500 which took them ahead of the British and Canada.

Meanwhile the Netherlands, who had a good first 1000, were slipping in the second half. Russia was drawing into a qualifying spot. In the final sprint, New Zealand at a 40 stroke rate, was holding on to second. Canada and New Zealand went to the line neck-and-neck. New Zealand had earned their first senior World Championship medal in this boat class. The United States had held their winning streak to make it their tenth consecutive World and Olympic title and the Netherlands will have to return next year to qualify for Rio.

Results: USA, NZL, CAN, GBR, RUS, NED

Tessa Gobbo  (7) – USA – gold
 “We stayed in our boat and in our race. It’s not just us, so many people are training and working hard to make only 9 of us win.”

Kerri Gowler (6) – NZL – silver
“We just stayed within our boat, it is an amazing result. These nine girls are so positive, it is great to row with them.”

Lesley Thompson-Willie (c), Canada, Women’s Eight
“It’s a close race, which is very positive for women’s rowing. We’ve had a good race today, we can’t complain about bronze.”

B-final

It must be a long time since we have seen Romania in a b-final. They dominated this boat class at the Olympics up until 2004 when the United States took over as the top nation. Romania got out quickly to lead the field. Australia then upped their stroke rate to 38 and took the lead. But margins were close with just half a second separating the top three crews going through the middle of the race. This margin remained close coming into the final sprint with only Germany a bit off the pace. Romania then showed their true colours to bring their boat home in first place.

Results: ROU, AUS, CHN, GER