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Men's eights, M8+
A few minutes to the final race of the regatta, the blue riband event of men's coxed eights. Final bit of light-speed typing... One minute to go. A light head-wind breeze. For the British cognoscenti, Kieran West sprang a rib and has been replaced by Dan Ouseley out of the coxless four. Fortyeight blades cut into the water, and first to the buoylines are ROM, CRO, RUS. ROM now pulling out ahead, at 250 metres gone, surging through to about half a length's lead. Out still further they go, now it's close to a length, and their cox is watching the Croatian bowball out of his eye. Towards the second marker at halfway, ROM have clear water but over GER, with CRO another length back, if the TV's right. It certainly doesn't look that way. Now we get a better perspective, and yes Germany are in second, Croatia third, but only just behind GER, with GBR in fourth and I think RUS ahead of ITA. The marker at 500 to go has RUS through GBR, as CRO push through GER, both crews now reeling ROM in as the early sprint begins to take its toll. ROM up the ante again, shifting to another gear to hold their lead. GBR push back against RUS, and it's Romania gold, Croatia silver, Germany bronze, finishing with GBR, RUS, ITA.
Women's eights, W8+
Another race for lanes in this event last night, which was fought out by BLR and GER, well ahead of ROM and GBR. Just about half a minute until they start, and we have to listen to the World Cup lift-music one more time, for the latest medal ceremony. Here we go with the women's eights, BLR into a three-foot lead straight away, and the TV launches are picking up the bellowing of the coxes at their hectic crews. It's BLR, GER, ROM, GBR a couple of hundred metres out, and BLR staking a claim to get well into the lead, pulling out seat after seat in the first minute. ROM this time have GER in check, not letting them get away, and GBR flounder half a length back at 500 metres. Here come the first big pushes, ROM now reeling BLR in nicely, and getting the jump on GER as they pass 750 gone. BLR this time don't have it all their own way, as the ROM/GER battle brings both crews up on the initial leaders. At 1000 metres it's ROM, GER, BLR, GBR, with about a second between each. BLR working hard, heads look quite tired and lolling a bit, but eight's racing is always heroic, and ROM haven't yet got the length they prefer. As they pass the bridge ROM are up several seats but unable to shake off GER, who keep a solid grasp on the second place. Staggered formation now, ROM, GER, BLR, GBR quite spaced out, and ROM look to make it more than half a length now, as the cameras focus on the struggling BLR crew, trying to get back to GER. GBR dropping behind the stern of the Belarussians as they reach250 to go, ROM heaving away but know they can contain Germany. It's ROM gold by just under half a length, GER silver, BLR bronze and GBR fourth.
Men's quad sculls, M4x
Sorry, picking up at halfway, NED in the lead, hotly chased by GER and then DEN I think, TV access restricted. NED holding off GER with a huge burst, then it's actually POL, with the two Italian crews behind, and DEN last. Push on push, huge efforts going down, and finally the line comes into view. NED just hang on, GER nearly got them before the final sprint but NED have enough to lift one last time. It's NED gold, GER silver, POL bronze.
Women's quad sculls, W4x
We've got the press bunnies running around trying to fix the TV now for the next race. If it's not sorted I can see the big screen on the far side of the course, but the fat-arsed press corps do insist on sitting in just the wrong place. Oh goody, they've fixed it. To put you in the picture, the women's quads and eights rowed a race for lanes last night, and so have some idea of each other's speeds. Otherwise it's a straight final. They're all ready on the start, forward and waiting for the Go to be said. There it is, and with the odd bit of erratic steering, they're off. GER are clear front-runners, looping along (though with pretty slow hands away from the finish), and extending their lead with every stroke. Behind look to be GBR and ITA, and the Brits have a slight edge as they cross the first marker. GER are now clear by over a length of open water, and GBR haul their way steadily off NED, who have burnt through ITA. The other crews are dropping back a bit, and ITA are now last in the pack at 1000 metres. GER have over five seconds in hand still, and GBR are also sitting pretty over NED. At the bridge, GBR starting to reel GER in, but GER still sculling strongly, don't look too bothered yet. POL have come through NED, GBR having to take it up, but the gap to Germany is still so big that the TV timers missed it. Here come the Dutch, GBR under severe pressure, GER also sweating now, but both crews lift it for the finish and keep their places securely. Gold to Germany, silver to the Brits, bronze to Poland. After that it was NED, ITA, USA I think.
Lightweight men's coxless fours, LM4-
There will be big pieces in the UK Sunday papers tomorrow, as they've just had a 20-minute chat with Pinsent and Crackers. Meanwhile Kath (Grainger) and Cath (Bishop) are patiently waiting to do their own press conference. LM4- race is in five minutes. Here they go, Netherlands belting it along, France and Italy also out quickly, and the second French crew trying to keep up. FRA1 have it by a snip from ITA at the 500-metre marker, then NED. Very tight stuff this, nobody's completely out of it, and now GRE moving up into third place just before 1000 metres. ITA pushing hard, take the lead from FRA1, and it's on the nod as they cross each buoy line, FRA1 coming back and inches in it. Every attack met with a counterblast, ITA keep the advantage at 500 metres to go, and both crews are shovelling the power down in this last few hundred metres. ITA keeping it, FRA coming again, ITA try to get away, FRA have another go, ITA can't find anything more, the line's coming and FRA are surging through. It's France gold, Italy silve, Netherlands bronze.
Lightweight men's double sculls, LM2x
The TV view of the start is fun: off the nearby bridge, and you can see the effort being put in as the white puddles boil up. France and Italy show instant class, with Spain1 being towed along in their wake. Their pace is hot and furious, rates still high for all these crews as they near 500 metres. GER look to have third place, as ITA draw out to a canvas lead over FRA. Now GER pushing through, and by 1500 metres they are dropping FRA in the gutter and aiming for ITA as SUI and GBR and ESP battle. 350 to go, GER just through ITA, and starting to build for the finish, as ITA try to respond. GER pushing fantastically, a superb finish to their row, and nearly clear of ITA, ITA notch the rate again, can they get back. Germany have it by half a length in gold medal place, with ITA taking silver, FRA bronze. I think it was SUI, ESP, GBR for the last places.
Lightweight women's double sculls, LW2x
On the start, ready to go. Still low wind thank goodness for these lightweights. Matt and James in the press box, so if they give good quote, I'll put it in later... GER off very swiftly, already a lnegth up with only a few stroke staken. Superb stuff, and if they can keep it up they will dominate this race. Next come Austria, who close them down a bit on the settle, and have overlap at 500 metres gone. GER now quite low on the rate, and push steadily clear of AUT again, as the fight develops behind them. It is NED and ROM up there with AUT now for the lessser places, with GBR fifth and GRE2 sixth. 750 to go, GER now miles up and comfortable, and AUT are battling NED for second place. Now ROM coming through AUT, and ROM doing a good job, while NED just keep their bows in front. It's a tough fight for the lower medals, NED over ROM by just feet, AUT staying in the frame, and GBR, GRE2 still just maintaining contact. This will be no doubt about the top spot, and it's GER gold, ROM silver, NED bronze. They leave the minor places up for just one second, so it's best to see the official site at http://www.worldrowing.com/ for the minor results.
Men's coxless fours, M4-
Women's doubles medals ceremony first, then we get the fours on the start. The wind's back to calm again. Clogs holding the bows, call-over begins, last checks for each crew, and they're forward and ready. Go! Lane 3 (SLO) out quickly,towing FRA1 and GBR1 with them. A pacy race, everyone wallopping off fast. SLO look smooth, GER nippy, and it's GER in the lead at 1000 metres gone, with SLO second, and GBR sandwiched betwen them in third. Then FRA1, USA1, ITA1. SLO pushing after the marker, GER have to try and respond, but SLO encroaching now on their near-length lead. Someone's having steering trouble in the German crew, but they're still well up, having held off the SLO pushes. Half lengths between Ger and SLO, SLO and GBR as they come to 500 to go. GER have to hang on now, they're being pushed every stroke as SLO nibble away at their lead. These three crews are miles out in front of the others, and as they reach the spectator area, it's a case of who has more left. SLO coming hard, through GER, GBR following, also through GER, feet in it for the medals and they cross the line SLO gold, GBR silver, GER bronze. No dispute about the order, though it was tight, less than a second between each position. A superb finish to a close race.
Men's double sculls, M2x
Five minutes to go. Another medal ceremony. The wind is quite brisk now, luckily the remaining races are the larger boats, on the whole. While we wait for the start of the men's doubles, Pinsent and Cracknell are standing in the yellow jerseys of the World Cup leaders, now with sixteen points under their belts. Medals around necks, and now it's back to the racing. Here they go, GER first to go ahead, and making pretty good ground on HUN and ITA1. CUB also nippy, holding ITA1 close, and HUN settle really well, going back to reel GER in at 500 gone. It's GER, HUN, ITA, and only halves of lengths between the various crews. ITA1 now pushing hard, chop their way through HUN, GER still just ahead, but it's going to be no easy race for these leaders. Now ITA pushing again, and they start to get level with GER, can they pull out anyhthing to counter? ITA are unstoppable, storming their way through, and just before the bridge they get GER on the ropes, and start to move steadily ahead. This is inches each stroke stuff, and now HUN are also burning off the Germans, leaving CUB, GBR, SUI in their wake. Up for the finish, GER now going down to CUB, ITA look very strong, and they get the gold without trouble, silver to HUN and bronze to ITA. SUI, GER, GBR for the final spots.
Women's double sculls, W2x
Denmark off very strongly, and as we get the first overall picture, Germany with Katrin Boron and Kerstin Kowalski are the clear leaders, already with open water a minute and a half into the race. They've been followed by GBR's young double, and POL are in third at the first 500 metre marker. FRA also in the picture, and now GBR are reeling GER in, or trying to. GER stay in control, and by 1000 metres the gap's closed to five seconds, with USA1 in third place right next to the Brits. GBR now opening up that lengthwise gap, and pulling out clear water over USA in the adjacent lane. USA are being pushed by POL and FRA, in a big battle over on the far side of the course, but seem to be winning that challenge at the moment. Under the bridge, and we see at 500 to go that DEN have fourth place, while GER and GBR still rule the race. USA throwing in a huge push, high-rating, but they won't be able to make an impression on the leaders. GER still making ground, now up over two lengths of clear water, and GBR solid for second. The biggest race here is for third, as DEN have another go at USA1. It's nearly ten seconds between the leaders, and we have GER gold, GBR silver, USA bronze by 0.2 over DEN.
Men's coxless pairs, M2-
One of the more publicly-pushed events, with Pinsent and Cracknell up against Di Clemente and Cech from South Africa. Off they go, and these two crews show their bows slightly in front first,with Germany and Croatia also in the fray. GBR rowing very long, more solid than they've been in the last few days,USA looking over all the time in fifth place. A few hundred metres in, GBR in front by about half a length, RSA keeping a close eye on them, and checking on the Americans in the nextdoor lane. Through 500 metres, GBR nearly 2/3 lengths clear, CRO and GER their biggest rivals at the moment. Through towards 1000 metres, and GBR haven't yet broken away, Cracknell making a call, CRO put on a push, and the lead is just half a length over CRO with GER well in touch. Up goes the power for GBR, out goes the gap, and nearing the bridge it's now clear water, a tremendous move from the BRits there. The question is have they broken the opposition? RSA now coming back on GER, GER responding and getting into a hell of a catfight, GER and RSA closing all the time on CRO with this push. 500 to go, and if my battery goes on this I'll pick up in a few minutes. It will be blanket for the minor medals, but GBR have done enough to show their class, and take it home without a lift, as RSA barge through GER and CRO into second position. FInal 100 metres, GBR still steady as a rock, everyone else is closing, so up goes the British rate just to make sure, crossing the line just as GER1, who have pushed back on RSA, get the silver. GBR gold, GER silver, RSA bronze, minor places not yet confirmed. Going offline for a few minutes to recharge.
Women's coxless pairs, W2-
Quickly off for GER, BLR1, ROM, and the wind's picked up again. ROM have blasted off very hard indeed, defending their reputation as Olympic champions in this class. Following are teh pack, but BLR1 have a full length clear. GBR are in third, with ROM second, and BLR now lengthening their stroke well. The pack close up a bit, at 750 gone, interesting to see the BLR1 boat going to stroke side on every finish as they pull round a little, and GBR now having steering trouble in the same direction. It's getting tighter as they near the bridge, BLR1 only a few feet up on ROM now, and just after the bridge ROM push hard, getting their bows in front. BLR1 can't respond, ROM looking classy, and every stroke takes them slowly through the Belarussians. Again it's the sheltered low-number lane doing well as the trees come past, and now GER have pushed through GBR at 500 to go. Damian and Susanu are dominant, shovelling the strokes down, clear water and several feet as they reach the spectator area. A very spread-out field, GER still up on GBR, and the Romanian champions have it in the bag now, and don't even have to raise their rate for the end. GBR put on the most fantastic sprint fo the line, grab a third place off Germany. ROM gold, BLR1 silver, GBR bronze, GER fourth, BLR2 and POL bring up the rear.
Men's single sculls, M1x
A very fast, blanket start, first to show being Iztok Cop (SLO1). Conditions are improving, less wind visible on the course, and he
s pacing doubles partner Luka Spik nicely, the two leading the field. Over in 2 Ivo Yanakiev is pushing hard, though, and gets past Spik just before 500 metres. Cop's under pressure now, Yanakiev in what looks like a more sheltered lane, the one Karsten just raced in. Coming towards 1000 metres, Yanakiev is making easier work of it, Cop still just holding on, but has to do something special. Here it comes, a solid shove from Cop, and as Tufte (NOR) edges into third place, Cop moves out another half a length. Yanakiev can't match, and Cop settles for what is now nearly a length, and takes a breather. Under the bridge, with about 750 to go, the lead is definitely clear water now, and unless someone has something big left in the tank, Cop can feel his medal round his neck. Yanakiev is not giving up, still battling away in second place and refusing to drop back, and now the rest of the field is catching him. It's SLO1, BUL, NOR, SLO2, CZE, GBR at the 1500 metres. Cop moves out once more, Tufte has a little look across, and Chalupa's now in fourth, past Spik with Wells (GBR) trailing. Here comes Yanakiev again, with 100 metres to go, but it's too late, and Cop takes gold (SLO1), Yanakiev silver (BUL), Tufte bronze (NOR), followed by CZE, SLO2, GBR1. A good start to the European campaign for Cop, doing it the hard man's way from the front right down the course.
Just checking those minor places, the replay shows something odd.
Women's single sculls, W1x
They're sitting on the start, and we're just ready to see the race. A stiffish cross-head, but that will make conditions better for the rowers and scullers, who have suffered from heat and humidity in the last two days. Call-over. And they're off. Guin Batten (GBR) off very quickly, also Alexandrova, Berazniova building fast. At the stride, it's Karsten (BLR1) looking good, half a length up on Alexandrova (RUS1). These two make it to the 500-metre marker first, with BLR2 third, and GBR lagging behind RUS2 and FRA. Karsten's looking superb, her sluggishness of the last few days dropping away under these cloudier skies. By 1000 metres she's well in control, still being paced by Alexandrova and now Balmary (FRA), with Levina (RUS2) and Beraznoiva well clear of Batten. Karsten reaches the bridge with nearly a length of clear water, and although she's puffing and panting a bit, the work is going in. The gap's increasing now, and Alexandrova is outclassed and knows it. In go Karsten's hatchts again, and she digs deep, sending a reminder to the field with every puddle that this event has her name on, from Worlds to Olympics and now to the Worlds again. Levina's dispoted of Blmary and is coming through the tiring Alexandrova, but the latter lifts again, and surges into second place. Karsten by a mile for gold (BLR1), Alexandrova silver (RUS1), Levina bronze (RUS2), with FRA, BLR2, GBR in the minor places.
Men's lightweight single sculls, LM1x
A tidy bunch of scullers in this, all very competitive. Off the start in a pack, Sam Lynch looking to have a little trouble steering and moving towards Simone Forlani until he corrects. First to show is Jose Antonio Martin, the local boy, but the Italians are hard on his heels, and soon Simone Forlani comes through, with Stefano Basalini close behind. The two Italians start to dominate after the first marker, but between them Irishman Sam Lynch is being pulled along by the pace after a patchy start, and these three are trying to drop the rest of the pack. Still in the picture is world champion Michal Vabrousek, overlapping Lynch, and he's creeping towards the Italian leaders steadily now, letting his experience come through. Forlani sculling beautifully, very long and even, but the higher stroke rate of Lynch and Vabrousek is starting to make an impact, and eventually Forlani can't last the pace and drops back. Under the bridge, about 750 metres to go, it's Vabrousek from Lynch from the Italians, but a few strokes later Lynch is on the attack, and has Vabrousek looking round nervously as the Irish sculler edges ahead. Martin is now the one being towed along, and stays in contact with the Czech as they near the stands. 250 to go, it's Lynch looking solid, but Vabrousek isn't finished yet, and chucks in a sprint for the line, overhauling Lynch an inch a stroke. The question is how much time is left, and Lynch scents the line appraoching, responding with a burst of his own. It's Lynch gold (IRL), Vabrousek silver (CZE), Martin bronze (ESP) and the rest left trailing as
Lightweight men's coxless pair, LM2-
Off like rockets, DEN out quickest off the start, GBR2 having steering porblems, NED just in second place. The Danish strokeman rows particularly upright, not looking to the side, and is utterly focused on his rhythm, blasting along and drawing his pair out to nearly a length lead just after the 500 metre mark. It's NED in second, IRL third, and DEN drawing steadily away to clear water lead with a high-rating cadence. 1000 metres gone, they have nearly four seconds advantage, and the other places are NED, IRL still with the two GBR pairs fourth and fifth, and BRA sixth. Under the bridge, and IRL are having a go at NED. With a storming push they surge through NED to take a length in just a few hundred metres, and grab second place, though still well down on DEN. Denmark look unassailable, GBR2 now challenging NED for the third place, down the stands and DEN don't need to raise it, still batting along at their race rate. IRL opening the gap to third still further, NED have a cushion of half a length for their medal. It's DEN gold, IRL silver, NED bronze and GBR2, and GBR1, BRA bring up the rear.