Men’s Quadruple Sculls (M4x) – Final

A–Final

Four years ago Ukraine set a new World Best Time which still stands today. Three of those crew members lined up at the start of this final and they shot out incredibly quickly to get to the 500m mark in first. But they couldn’t maintain it. In the second 500 Italy pushed into first with the Netherlands moving with Italy. The margin at the half way point between the top five boats was just two seconds. What would happen in the third 500.

Italy continued to move with the Dutch trying to keep up. But there was still nothing in it between the whole field. From second to sixth it was just one second. Italy went to 44 to hold their lead as New Zealand, featuring Olympic single sculling champion Mahe Drysdale, flew down the outside at 43. Australia went to 46 and with Italy crossing the line in first a photo finish was needed for the lesser medals. Australia had grabbed silver with Ukraine taking bronze. New Zealand had missed out by just 0.11 of a second.

Results: ITA, AUS, UKR, NZL, NED, POL

Luca Rambaldi, Italy, gold
“Wow, after 20 years, Italy is now on top. It’s a beautiful moment! The race today was great. Tough competition but we will try and repeat this next year.”

David Watts (s), Australia, silver
“We’re a new crew so we’re building with each new race. We knew we could do well today. After Rio, Australia lost some of it’s tops scullers so we’re trying to re-build that group now.”

Sergii Gryn, Ukraine, bronze
“I didn’t expect such a strong field here. In 1999, I was here for the Junior World Rowing Championships and I came fourth. This year I came back to collect a medal.”

Re-watch the race here

B-final

After an initial lead by Russia the British, who have had an up and down season, pulled into second. The won at World Rowing Cup III but then finished sixth at the European Championships. Today they were making the best of it and they fought off Russia to stay ahead. In the final sprint Germany came storming through. But the British held them off. The World Champions, Lithuania finished at the back of the field.

Results: GBR, GER, FRA, RUS, USA, LTU