Worlds 1999 Reports - Saturday 28th August

The Rowing Service

Conditions: Already at 8 a.m. a very strong, sustained tail-wind, very slightly cross from lane 6. The organisers clearly had good weatherforecasting, since they went with the lanes 4/5 favoured today, and fastest semi-finalists randomised between those two lanes. Start-list etc. on FISA's website. Patches of sun to start with through the morning mist. If the conditions persist, there is a good chance of record-breaking today.

Picture

- from Ruedi Ulli.

Where reports are marked "live" they were written during the race, though sometimes with extra comments tacked on in summary. Today I will not be including names of crew for placings - please refer to the previous reports and to the FISA site for crew information.

News

The USA men's lightweight four's second appeal about the weed on their fin has been turned down. This morning the USA men's heavyweight quad also protested on the finish line, reason unknown though they were gesturing and it looked like a wash complaint, since they were in lane 6 next to the TV launches, and at the back of the pack. The result of their race is pending this protest - they unofficially finished sixth. From a respectable source in the media tent, "Well you know what Americans are like, if you can't get in one way, sue - and you can print that."
Chris Dodd of the Henley River and Rowing Museum has said that if any crew gets weed on their fin during a final this weekend, he would like to put it in the Museum. Those at the athlete's quarters in Brock University reading this, please spread the word - he's serious!

The BBC will be showing more GBR-interest races not live but during the Saturday and Sunday Grandstand schedule.
My apologies to Australia for putting the Tomkins medal comment in the F2- by mistake - now moved.

From the GB H4-: A fair amount of satisfaction, with a well-judged race going to plan and sustained power in the middle section of the race. They were careful to keep an eye on the Norwegian four, who had rowed a disastrous semifinal and could always have pulled something out of the bag. Matthew Pinsent on the close nature of the pre-Olympic year final: "I think what you find is that the final doesn't get necessarily get any faster but it gets narrower. You know the sixth crew is less far behind than maybe they were three or four years ago." They are now looking forward. That was the last brick in the wall leading towards the first heat at Sydney, and now it's in place. They will go back to Britain after short holidays, for a winter of training, the thorny question of selection with Foster, and some serious hard graft. To the Australians, just one comment: "See you next year".

I don't think I can cover B and C finals - too much to catch up on.

Thomas Keller medal

Silken Laumann and Katherine Heddle of Canada have just been presented with their Thomas Keller medals, for lifetime achievement in rowing allied to exemplary sportsmanship and personality. Laumann, who is seven months pregnant, has been tirelessly fronting the Canadian TV broadcasts from the finish line.

Men's lightweight eights final

"Live". As always, a flying start from the whole field. Coxswains ducking looks at each other, blades and seats whizzing, spray going everywhere. USA and Italy at first matched inch for inch, but by 500 metres Italy establish a two-seat lead. [The Italians look like Martians with particularly fetching alien-eye sunglasses!] USA fighting back, then GBR and Holland ahead of Canada and Spain at the thousand-metre mark. 1450, USA really making their mark on this field, GBR scooping back towards Italy, both crews now coming back on the States, GBR and Italy neck and neck, now six seats down from USA, last 200, USA should do it, but GBR are closing fast, half a length down, Italy a seat back from them, everyone sprinting, Canada stopping on the line in fourth as the Netherlands and Spain follow. USA gold, GBR silver just ahead of Italy bronze.

Women's coxless four final

"Live". Early moves from Great Britain, rowing in the least-favoured lane 1 and shovelling down some serious pressure as they come through 45 seconds. Byelorussia away sharply too, but by 450 metres Britain have the edge. Not for long, as Byelorussia with a keen rate push past and Germany also steer their way forward into second place by the thousand. Byelorussia have the advantage at 1250, Germany a seat back and Britain dropping back ahead of USA and Canada. 1400 out, the Teutonic push comes in, and the German bowball surges past Byelorussia. 300 to go, Germany trying to consolidate but not having it easy, USA dashing fast now in an incredible comeback, Britain now struggling. Byelorussia dig in again with 200 to go, get themselves back on terms, half a stroke a seat, and they're passing Germany in a top-class finish. Byelorussia gold, Germany silver, the USA third, Britain fourth and Canada fifth.

Men's coxed pair final

"Live". Germany, Russia and Argentina making early headway, and Germany have the initiative as they pass 450 metres. You can see the power needed to keep the boats moving every stroke, as the USA burst through to challenge for the lead. At a thousand Italy are putting in a rate-39 push, USA now moving up past Germany. 1400 metres out from the start, USA a seat ahead of Germany, from Australia who have crept up to third and Argentina in fourth. 300 to go, the race is on for all three medals, everyone's heads are swinging round as the race unfolds across all six lanes. Germany responding to the crowd in lane 2, raising the rate again, USA now over 40 but still a sniff in front, Argentina and Australia nearly two lengths back but hotly contesting third place. USA a delighted gold, Germany silver, and a delirious Argentinian crew bronze just feet ahead of Australia. Italy fifth, Russia sixth.

Men's lightweight single scull A final

"Live". Nielsen powerfully away, at 250 metres out showing ahead of Vabrousek and Lynch. 500 gone, Nielsen's still at the front, only canvases between the places. Lynch looking very strong behind Vabrousek, Haining now edging up behind him through the 1000 marker. Still a roaring tailwind, freshening again as they mark 1250. Lynch pulling away from Haining, Vabrousek challenging Nielsen hard. You can see the determination on the Dane's face, jaw jutting out, he is going to hang on for dear life here. Kokas now slipping into fourth ahead of Haining, passing the 250 to goas the buoys change colour, Lynch now out of the race for third, Karsten looking unassailable, Kokas though clearly third putting in a rate-lift for the line. Haining drops right back to sixth, no longer pushing himself, as Denmark takes gold, the Czech Republic silver, Hungary bronze.

Women's lightweight single scull A final

"Live". Switzerland and Romania taking charge of the race, Vogel sneaking away to half a length by the first markerpoint. Argentina now coming up, at the thousand the USA starting to edge back to the pack middle. 1250 gone, the tail-wind freshening hard, Argentina in second at the third marker, the rest too close to call. This could be a tremendous race for all three medals. Switzerland almost crabbing as she fights off the Argentine, now USA making an incredible dash for the line, 250 to go and Switzerland looking good, but USA now level with Argentina, who can't summon enough to respond, rates sky-high from both, last few strokes and the USA has silver behind Switzerland gold, Argentina bronze, and Germany a part-length behind. Then Romania, and Croatia bring up a slow rear.

Men's coxless fours A final

"Live". GBR away quickly, Italy following. First marker, Britain a half-length up, Italy next, Australia in third but the record-breakers Norway last. 750 out, Britain looking very smooth, starting to pull away, Australia holding pace with Italy. Thousand metres, one length, but Italy are doing a push, Australia now alongside, quite a battle going on here, and it will push the British four faster too, since they won't want these two to close the gap. 1300 metres gone, Australia are in front of Italy, GBR still looking comfortable and rating a steady 37. Redgrave's saying something, third markerpoint and they're still a length ahead but Italy and Australia are going now, 250 metres to go, GBR now notching the rate up, Australia now sprinting towards them, can't see the distance, it's two-thirds of a length, now Pinsent sticking in that famous wind, here we go, Britain pulling away again a little, Australia going again, two strokes from the line and the result is clear, but Pinsent's hand goes up just as the beep sounds. GBR gold, AUS silver, ITA bronze, New Zealand fourth, France fifth, Norway sixth. A brilliant scramble-finish from all three medalling crews. Cracknell's splashing water everywhere, Coode in heaven, Redgrave's ninth successive world/Olympic gold medal, Australia waving to the crowd. Now the British four paddles off past the finish line, need to keep moving, then a little wait for the medal ceremony. See you again in Sydney for the final episode of this long-running saga.....

Men's double sculls A final

"Live". Denmark starting well, Slovenia then taking over as the doubles hit the 40-second barrier - Cop and Spik giving us a lovely demonstration of power and precision sculling and walking out step by step to a hugely assertive lead by 500 gone. Through the second quarter, Germany and Norway bashing heads, the effort closing them slightly on the Slovenians, who may need to save their powder for the final sprint. 750 to go, Norway have the second place, Slovenia now only half a length up, everyone trying to reel them back in, they're hardening and now under serious pressure from Norway. 250 to go, Slovenia really dashing now, Norway rushing the slide a little as they knock the rate up again, but they can't get past, now Germany in a last rush for the line. Germany closing very fast on Norway, Slovenia moving away again to take gold by two-thirds of a length, Germany and Norway neck and neck. Inches in it, five strokes from the line, who's going to do it, all four scullers wasting precious milliseconds looking round (idiots!), photofinish. They play it, and we're not sure, play it again, very slowly, finally it's certain. Germany silver by five hundreds of a second over Norway. Turned out the gold time set by Slovenia broke the previous world record by nearly two seconds!

Women's double sculls A final

"Live". Not surprisingly after the semifinals, Germany away very slickly, China chasing. 250 metres out, Germany already almost clear, Netherlands powering up too. 900 metres, Germany's lead now open water, China trying to fend off the Dutch, who are trying the same trick they played in the semifinal, Lithuania not far behind, France and Australia sagging. 1250, and the Chinese now show their class, starting an early lift for the line and pulling out all the stops to avoid the Dutch attack. Netherlands now racking up the rate as well, trying to close back, finally Germany a clear gold, China silver by a seat from Netherlands, Lithuania strong but in fourth, France and Australia.

Men's coxless pairs A final

"Live". Australia off the mark like road-runners, Croatia chasing with France and Germany behind. 400 metres gone, and Australia already well clear, Croatia and Germany second and third. 1000 metres, the leaders still in place and looking strong, but Italy and GBR now challenging France. Australia looking magnificent, 1200 metres and drawing further ahead all the time, going for a record quite obviously. Croatia and France in a head-to-head in lanes five and six, GBR and ITA doing the same over on the other side. 50 to go, Australia's gold clock ticking down, they're not quite going to break 6:18.37, France ecstatic to take silver two-thirds of a length ahead of Croatia's bronze, GBR making a last-minute surge at Italy on the line, but Italy fourth by a bowball, Germany not far behind. From Australia it's the Oarsome Two now, but striking again - Tomkins's eighth World or Olympic gold medal.

Women's coxless pairs A final

"Live". A big Canadian race, this, with favourites and defending champions Luke and Robinson in lane 5. The Russians off strong and smooth, Canada at their heels, and then walking through steadily from 600 to 900, moving solidly and building up a lead of more than a length over Russia, with Germany and Australia behind. 1250 metres gone, Canada still very commanding, Australia making a challenge on Russia but still third. 1500 metres gone, Russia looking very tired, Australia's rate going up, Canada blasting down the puddles, Russia's heads going up and they're fighting again, now Germany hoicking the rate up, 50 metres to go and the pack have overlap on Canada but they're fine and going to cross the line first to take their third gold in a row. Germany finishing tremendously to take silver, and Russia giving Australia the bronze with a crab or stopped-stroke just metres before the line. Great Britain fifth, Romania disappointingly sixth.

Men's single scull A final

"Live". Porter and Sartori off well, Mueller in third. Past 750 and Sartori walloping his way into first place, defending champion Waddell chasing by half a length and rowing well within himself, Xeno in third, then Porter, Chalupa and Ianakiev. Over the thousand Sartori starting to fade, Waddell coming through strongly, and Porter challenging Mueller for third. Mueller now blowing away the Italian as they pass 1500, Waddell well clear and sculling like a hero. Chalupa and Porter pushing each other, but now Sartori's dropping behind them as Ianakiev holds desperately on. 250 to go, and Porter's now sculling away from Chalupa towards a bronze medal. But Waddell's 100 metres from the line, clock ticking away and he's going for it, a record time is on the cards, is he close enough. Xeno in second assured, Waddell still over a length clear water, two strokes away and the clock going past 6:35, over the line, did he do it? And it's a new senior world record, 6:36.68 to Jaanson's previous best of 6:37.03. Cracking race, a superb sculler.

Women's single scull A final

"live". First top-class final of the day. Karsten leads out, with Rutschow and Fedotova following. Karsten drawing inch by inch away in the first stages of the race, and at 1250 gone, open-water clear of the pack. Neykova now challenging for the medals, 1600 metres and she's in second place over Rutschow. 250 to go and the crowd cheering on McBean, sitting last, but Rutschow has taken second place back, Fedotova now sprinting hard but Neykova determined for bronze and just holding on. These sprints taking the pack back towards Karsten but she's still in charge, and slides over the line to take gold for Byelorussia, with Germany silver and Bulgaria bronze. Russia, New Zealand and Canada in that order behind. And it's a new world record for Karsten, too!

Men's lightweight coxless four B final

Four to qualify for Sydnay
All to play for here, in one of the most competitive men's lightweight events. Russia and the USA took the front in that order, the USA giving away a bit of distance with slightly erratic steering. Netherlands looked comfortable in third as they passed 750, then South Africa, Great Britain and Germany. At the thousand these positions were maintained but with 600 metres to go the Dutch four pushed up into second place and then put on another burst of power to challenge Russia. A very exciting rapid-fire finish for the five top crews, resulting in Netherlands beating Russia by a gnat's whisker for the first place, and the USA holding off South Africa, with Great Britain in fifth a seat behind and Germany last.

Men's lightweight double sculls B final

Five out of six to qualify for the Olympics
Greece put their noses in front first, Japan chasing strongly. But the Dutch double was holding close, and at 1450 out, went through into second place as Japan overtook the Greeks and pulled away to a dominating open-water lead. This demoralised the Greeks, and let Great Britain past into third place with a strong finishing 200-metres. A length back, Russia and Ireland staged a terrific battle to avoid that non-qualifying last place, with Russia winning by 0.3 of a second.

Women's lightweight double sculls B final

Three to qualify for the Olympics
Poland took the initiative here, Switzerland following and Canada and Hungary jostling for that important third position. Canada tried to attack at the thousand, but Hungary went with them, and as they reached 1400 metres the Swiss took the lead. A hugely competitive battle developed, the Poles fighting back, and all four of these crews separated by only a seat. With twelve strokes to go Switzerland broke away slightly, and Poland closed to a bowball down on Hungary, with Canada trying fruitlessly to get back to level. Canada fourth by 0.27 of a second, Bulgaria and Italy a long way behind.

Men's eights B final

Top crew only to qualify for the Olympics
An extremely important race, this, carrying some very disappointed crews who were edged out of the A final. With only one Sydney spot up for grabs (two more to come in Lucerne next year) all three of the Germans, Australians and Canadians were desperate to get back their reputations and ensure at least a presence at the Olympics. Germany led from the start, but Australia, obviously quite adamant that they were not going to trek over to Switzerland just to get a spot in their home-town 2000 regatta, dug their heels in.

Men's quadruple sculls B final

Five to qualify for the Olympics
Race report coming, pending a protest.

Women's quadruple sculls B final

Top crew only to qualify for the Olympics
Byelorussia went out fast in this, the first race of the day. Their first major challenge came from Great Britain, who crept up steadily and at 600 to go pushed their noses in front. From then on there was no looking back, as they drew steadily out to a length and then decisively to open water. Byelorussia followed them in,

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