Wednesday September 9th 1998

Disasters happen

Britain's 100-per-cent record couldn't last, and disaster struck on Wednesday when the men's eight were outrowed by the Italians in the repechage. "The guys did everything asked of them during the race," coach Martin McElroy said. "We didn't underestimate the Italians but today they wanted it really badly." Romania just beat the Italy to win the race. Those two, plus Russia and Australia from the other rep, join Germany and the US in the final on Sunday.

Good British news is that the women's lightweight quad reached the final by coming second in their rep, a welcome bonus for an injury-troubled group. The men's lightweight four were the only crew to win a rep, and with consumate ease, to progress to the semi-final. The drama was provided by Tim Male and Matthew Beechey in the lightweight double who raced for second place in an event with two qualifying places, and made it. Winners Portugel 7:05.49, GB 7:05.65, third placed Argentina 7:05.83. Phew!

The men's coxed four bombed, leading for half their race before plunging to fifth and the B final for places 7-12.

Other B finalists are the men's lightweight quad (placed third) and the women's eight (placed third). The women's quad's repechage was delayed until 18.00 because of wind on lane 5.

If the cross wind forcast for 8 metres per second blows up on Thursday, Heat winners and then rep winners will be allotted the best lanes in semifinals, which will favour the best crews. British crews who will benefit will be the men's coxless four and women's double scullers, while the men's pair and double and the scullers Batten, Haining and Searle will be in the centre lanes.

Link to summarised results.
Worlds 1998 website.
FISA website.

© Copyright Christopher Dodd, 1998.