Women’s Four (W4-) – Finals

A-Final

Denmark recorded the fastest qualifying time from yesterday’s semifinals. Today they faced winner of the other semifinal, Australia for the first time. At the start Denmark was moving the fastest and they reached the first 500m marker in the lead. But they were being chased hard by China with the other four crews all very much on the pace. Coming into the half way point the Danish crew of Jacobsen, Sanggaard Nielsen, Rasmussen and Johansen remained in the lead with China still the closest challenger. All other crews were still within striking distance of grabbing a medal. What would happen in the second half of the race?

The Chinese then did a third 500m push and got their nose ahead of Denmark. A huge crowd of Chinese supporters yelled support. The lower rating Denmark tried to regain the lead. There was nothing in it at the line. The crowd waiting for the results. Denmark had won by just a second. China took second and Australia did an almighty sprint to take third.

Results: DEN, CHN, AUS, USA1, USA2, GBR1

Re-watch the race here

The next fastest from yesterday’s semifinal was New Zealand. But at the start they were at the back end of the field with Poland out in front. The New Zealanders then did a push and the crew of MacFarlane, Spoors, Osborne and Waddy took over in the lead. Then Great Britain 2 came up to challenge the leaders. They’d been at the back of the field and were now motoring. Germany was now pushing it and had moved their stroke rate to 39. New Zealand went to 39 and Great Britain was at 37. These three boats crossed the line almost together. Great Britain had won by 0.05 of a second.

Results: GBR2, GER, NZL, POL, IRL (CRO did not finish)