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Nagaragawa, Gifu, Japan, Saturday 3rd September 2005
Women's coxless four, W4-:
First final off, only four crews, and everyone expects Korea to be the ones not medalling. Belarus off the quickest, but Germany soon showing slightly in front, with Australia a seat back sandwiched between them. Coming to 500 and it's Germany in charge, with Australia getting past Belarus with a neat 450m push. That push is doing them plenty of favours - the Aussie four, who I think are doubling up into their eight, have swished through past Germany into a formidable lead, and are now running away with the race. Halfway, and the field's really spread out, two second gaps up the front, and more than eight back to Korea struggling along and by now being washed down by the umpire. We're only getting shots of the Aussies - the TV coverage is not good at showing you what's happening behind the leaders. The usual problem: it's a different national host broadcaster mucking it up every single year, bloody hell. Aussies still in the lead, nothing changes. Just remmeber, girlies, that the Romanians do it the hard way - they tend to double into Olympic class boats. This ain't nearly so impressive, I'm afraid. Doesn't stop the obligatory chant of 'Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi!' in the stands.
Gold Australia, silver Germany, bronze Belarus, fourth Korea.
Men's coxed pair, M2+:
Missed the start of this, the coverage was a bit odd and the comemntary didn't kick in until they were about a third of the way down. Australia a length up, over Italy, with USA trailing. This is an event on the edge, with only three entries (so under current FISA rules they all get medals unless DSQ'd) and the last time it had heats was in 2002, so it has one more year to try and get a big entry. The Aussies knocked it down to 33 in mid-race, but are lifting as the crowds shout, though it's by no means necessary.
Gold Australia, silver Italy, bronze USA and no other competitors.
Lightweight women's single, LW1x:
First to show is the Cuban, with Van Eupen from NED pushing in behind her. Jo Hammond (GBR) had an indifferent first few strokes, but quickly caught up with the main pack, though CUB and NED are edging into a half-length lead. Up to a minute and a half, and GER is third, with GBR coming up towards her in fourth. This is where Hammond's lane (1) gets the best shelter, in the middle section, and she needs to try and take advantage. Lots of shots of the Cuban, who is loving it out there, looking very strong. GER falling back, FRA comes up and it's now NED then CUB then either GBR or FRA as they go through three minutes. Lots of mention of Van Eupen being the world record-holder (1999, Lucerne) from the commentators - BBC and trackside. She's pulled out an amazing lead by halfway, clear water, with FRA come through into second ahead of slightly failing CUB and GBR in fourth. Not great lightweight conditions, and NED's down to 29.5, with the others only a little higher. More camerawork which makes it impossible for us to see what's going on. Coming to 1500, and I can see what looks like the British bow pushing on the far side of the screen. NED still unchallenged, well in the lead, with Hammond starting her push to the end having slipped back to fifth as Spain came charging through while we couldn't see. Everyone going for it, this will be close, plenty of people able to get the minor medals even if the gold is not yet in doubt. GBR at 32, NED at 30, ESP still second, FRA third, GBR fourth, and GER coming back again, but a push from FRA too. Over the line. Phew.
Gold NED, silver FRA, bronze ESP, 4th GBR, 5th GER by a tiny bit and 6th CUB.
Lightweight men's single, LM1x:
Really crushing these races in - though they had time for the whole Aussie national anthem this time. Zac Purchase (GBR) has gone off hard, but only NED's sculler left out of the pack. Purchase finding it bumpy, from the looks of the screen, as the Greek (who is very fast) edges into the lead at 470m gone. SUI, NED, FRA all very tight behind these two. Incredibly effective sculling from Polymeros - plant and shove - which may work well in this wind. Settling into GRE by a short head, GBR only inches in front of SUI but SUI is pushing so that may not last long. FRA stalking the two of them, so there's a big competition for the minor medals. Polymeros is ten years older than Purchase. Halfway, SUI has moved into second, but FRA still half a minute off the medals. 1100m gone, Purchase moving, trying to get back to SUI. The two are level. Can't see much of the other places. FRA closing up, this could get really tight. SUI perhaps by inches over GBR but nothing much in it. GRE moving away into an even stronger lead. 1400m gone, conditions quite flat now. Six seconds lead for GRE at the marker, GBR second, SUI just behind, FRA fourth. Zac said to me earlier that he liked the idea of an outside lane - "I can just get my head down and concentrate on my own race" and he's doing it. SUI trying again, GBR's rate goes up to 35, Up to 37, as even GRE raises his rate in reponse. FRA closing fast on SUI, overtaking, FRA going like a bullet, closing on GBR now, but the line's here.
Gold GRE, silver GREAT BRITAIN, bronze FRA, 4th SUI, 5th NED, 6th GER.
Best quote from Zac Purchase - "I think I might be buying the DVD now".
Lightweight men's eight, LM8+:
Sorry guys, I need a break to deal with other jobs, and fortunately I get one.
You all know what happens - Italy go out fast, Japan can't keep up, and they get gold and silver in that order. End of.
Women's single, W1x:
Knapkova or Karsten, Karsten or Knapkova? The smart money may well be on Karsten, who lazed her way through the semi, but Knapkova has surprised her before. With Peggy Waleska in the B-final, although the likes of Levina and Balmary have sprung shocks in the past, they may not have the speed for the gold here. They're off, Karsten (BLR) concentrating hard, and within a minute she's got clear water on the rest. Knapkova (CZE) and Swensson (SWE). CZE's trying to close on BLR but unless she can get contact back, it may be difficult. Half way, and it looks like Michelle Guerrett of the USA in second - it is - with CZE third, but BLR is still clear. USA pushing hard, CZE starts a monster push at 110m gone, and the fight is on. CZE past USA in what looked like a mere five strokes. This is going to delight the USA if she can hold a medal, though. Clear water back to the other three. BLR looking totally untroubled and strong, she has the pedigree and she's about to prove she has the post-Olympics gold in her pocket. CZE holding a canvas lead over USA but not moving more now. They're still four seconds down on Karsten, with FRA fourth, then RUS and SWE. BLR, CZE in the low thirties, USA too, the closest next is FRA but she's way back. CZE and USA close on BLR, but she must be able to hold them off. Karsten's glorious sweeping strokes now moving her further and further away, and the positions are set.
Gold BLR, silver CZE, bronze USA, 4th FRA, 5th SWE, 6th RUS.
Men's single, M1x:
I'm really looking forward to this - the personnel are a mix of old (Hacker - GER, Tufte - NOR) and new (Synek - CZE, Drysdale - NZL) with Tim Maeyens of Belgium who has been steadily working up the list, and Yoennis Hernandez Arruez of Cuba. Bloody FISA, they've taken too long giving medals out to bloody lightweight eights, so we've missed the beginning. Drysdale up with 1:40 gone, Synek just behind him. Go Mahe! He had a nasty crash with a water-skier earlier in the year, and recovered well enough to drive his way into the medals at the World Cups. Synek can be a monster in mid-course, though, so it will be a battle. On the far side, Maeyens, but he's fourth, with Tufte in third. That means Hacker's out of the picture, and probably too far back to get even a minor medal. Yup, he's last at halfway, with the Cuban in fifth. I'm switching to country codes now to save time. CZE launches the attack, 1200m gone, and NZL takes a look but knows it may exhaust him to match it. He's going to have a go anyway, and starts sticking in great huge wallops of strokes, edging steadily away from the threat of the CZE bow. Incredible, twelve strokes later and he has clear water, just, and still looks in charge. CZE has tightened up, I don't think he expected to be matched in mid-race, and now NOR is coming dangerously close on his far side. NZL now a length and a half clear, coming into the last 200m. It's NZL from CZE, NOR now going like a train, CZE will have to fight for the silver. The rest too far back. Yes, NOR's through, five strokes to go, four, three, two one, and Mahe chucks down his sculls and checks his heart-rate watch. That had the spectators' pulses racing, if nothing else, and the large Kiwi contingent clapping and cheering in delight. Tideway Scullers club (UK) will be pleased too: their first world champion member for a while?
Gold NZL, silver NOR, bronze CZE, 4th BEL, 5th CUB, 6th a demoralised GER.
Late addendum - It emerged after the race that Hacker felt himself hit something submerged in his lane at about 600m, and had to back down to get it off his fin. But the fin was heavily damaged, hence the result. He lodged an appeal, but late on Saturday afternoon it was planned to be heard on Sunday somewhen, which is not going to be in sufficient time to have a re-row or re-allocate medals. I think he's onto a losing bet here. Main problem is that he didn't put up his hand and claim interference when it happened (or, I think, at the finish line), so it doesn't really fit under FISA 'external interference' rules. I'm sure FISA and Rudern1 will have plenty more.
Women's pairs, W2-:
I'm afraid I need to take another race off this commentary to catch up on my real jobs. Won by the Kiwis again - Silver Ferns truly on top today. They've got two more boats of Olympians to come in the finals, as well - the men's pair and women's double, both with excellent chances. Definitely in terms of quality coming back with the strongest team of the lot, even though it is small. We could be hearing their (rather tuneful) national anthem several times today.
Gold NZL, silver AUS, bronze RUS, 4th ROM, 5th BLR, 6th USA.
Men's pairs, M2-:
It's history repeating itself (well the history of fifteen minutes ago) as the Kiwis go into an early lead, just ahead of the Olympic silver (CRO) and bronze (RSA) medallists. This is a very hard event this year, with those guys coming back, but NZL keep the edge going towards halfway, and are looking strong. Not much to choose between them, NZL first, then RSA coming ahead of CRO into second and ITA waiting to mop up the pieces. The Skelins have written a book on rowing technique, but are being taught a masterclass on racing here by the boys from Down Under. Still half a length lead for NZL, nothing the others can do really makes an impact yet. CRO having a push, and closing back on ITA who went through into third just before the 1000m marker. 400m to go, RSA throwing the kitchen sink into it but Twaddle and Bridgwater push back away again, up to 39.5 to hold off the South Africans. I don't think they can be touched, and as CAN come past CRO now, it's NZL looking certain, ITA closing on RSA, nobody else in it. A clear water verdict, the third in a row! (And still the golden twins to come).
Gold NZL, silver RSA, bronze ITA, 4th CAN, 5th GRE, 6th CRO.
Women's doubles, W2x:
The Evers-Swindells are yanking on the oar handles, tugging away as if their lives depend on this race - and after being unbeaten for 4 years, they probably do. A slight lead, over BUL, with GBR and GER very tight behind. BUL don't look bothered by the quick Kiwi start and are definitely sculling more efficiently - I suspect they're planning a charge later on. NZL have taken a lesson from their other crews, and have a full clear length, making Elise Laverick of GBR look round. NZL from BUL, from AUS, who have crept past GBR. Through the marker, AUS slip ahead of GBR a little more, as BUL move out - the first two medals are not up for grabs from anyone else. NZL like rocks, steadily shoving along, a massive gap to BUL who have a similarly massive gap on AUS. GBR still with overlap, can't see where GER and ITA are. BUL close the gap a bit, last 150m, but there's nowhere near enough time, and anyway NZL know they've got this one. GBR slipping back even further now, as GER come through them and ITA close up in sixth. GBR's Debbie Flood in bits at the end, utterly exhausted.
Gold NZL, the fourth clear-water gold IN A ROW! All returning Olympians it's true, but it's still good going. Silver BUL, bronze AUS, 4th GER, 5th GBR, 6th ITA.
Men's double sculls, M2x:
Ok, it's getting boring now, dear Kiwis. Fortunately this A final has none competing. Instead it's the chance for Luka Spik and Iztok Cop (SLO) to do the first leg of a rather impressive double, the M2x and M4x, which they are aiming at. Unsurprisingly they're the first to put their bows in front, but GER are not far behind. The Yanakiev brothers (BUL) are also in the picture, perhaps they can grab a second doubles silver for their country. Clear water by 750m, GER only a few feet up on BUL, and then quite a gap to UKR, and ITA/BEL very close. SLO look incredible, a wiry pair compared with the height and shoulder-power we've been seeing from the NZLers. Not that the Slovenians are small, but they're not the biggest either, just excellent boat-movers. ITA have really pulled up their socks, and while I've been wittering, shoved right up into second and with 450m to go, are threatening the lead dramatically. An amazing charge. It's SLO by feet from ITA, from GER, from BUL. ITA still going, they're nearly level, SLO raise it again, ITA haven't quite got past, both crews now going the same speed. Cameras are grabbed, and the Italian stroke Luca Ghezzi collapses and throws away his sculls on the line, as they just fail to grab gold.
Gold SLO, silver Italy, bronze GER, 4th BUL, 5th BEL, 6th UKR.
Men's coxless four, M4-:
oh bloody hell, it's nerves time again. Now I know the Dutch think they're going to win, and sure as hell Volpenheim and co in the US boat think they're going to, but I'm afraid this will be utterly partisan as I don't want anyone else but the British boys to take the gold.
Two minutes to go, and we're still seeing happy NZL twins on the podium. Come on TV guys, over to the start please.
Finally we see the crews. Blondies Hodgey and Alex in the GB stern, looking calm but determined. Pete zoning at two, and Steve looking round and getting the boat straight at bow. 48.5 in the first few. A very pack start, but at 20 seconds the British bow does its usual surge ahead, and keeps moving, towing the Dutch out with them. Can't see, but I think USA and NZL are around third together. A minute gone, GBR move away from everyone except the Dutch, but the boys in orange are staying with them. GBR clear of all but NED, NZL holding third, USA not to be seen at the moment (but don't discount them). Hodgey looking relaxed, a good rhythm from the British boat. He looked like that when he and Pete rowed straight past Steve and Alex at national trials. NED are sticking like glue, though, and it's just 600m gone, a long way to go. NZL rowing well too, but CAN coming back on them. This may be the crucial bit, nearly midway and NED are starting a push. Something happened at 1200 gone, and GBR have started to move away again. It wasn't an obvious move, but a very effective one. Hodgey's past Cirkel, and sliding towards clear water. Still not all done, but hell the Brits are looking good. Just how they wanted to. 1500m, not quite clear water, they will have to go again before the end. NED not quite as sharp in as them, also veering to stroke side in the blustery lane. Very close to the SS buoys, are NED. GBR now have CAN coming up to push the Dutch, and they're entering the last 250m. GBR at 39, NED the same, still just under a length. CAN haven't made it, they're third but way back. NED go, but it's too late, GBR are going to win. Steve over the line first again, for the second year running, and they're world champions. Cracking rowing!
Gold GREAT BRITAIN, silver DEN, bronze CAN, 4th DEN, 5th USA, 6th NZL.
Adaptive races
I'm afraid I only took in parts of the adaptive finals, busy getting quotes from the boys in the four and filing my first pieces.
The GBR adaptive coxed four were pushed much harder than last year, winning still by a very solid ten seconds, and as a result rowing to a much higher level. Gold GREAT BRITAIN, silver POR, bronze NED, 4th GER, 5th HKG and 6th ITA.
The USA as expected won the double scull gold by nearly two minutes with ITA taking silver and FRA bronze.
In the singles AUS took gold, silver went to ITA, bronze USA, 4th CZE, 5th GBR and 6th GRE.
That's all for today folks, I'll try and do something similar (though perhaps just the second half of some races) tomorrow.
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