Three U.S. rowing teams have advanced to the semi-finals: 4-woman sculls, men’s pair, and 4-man sculls.
Australia won the Women’s Fours race by a quarter-boat-length, with the U.S. second. Australia had a slight lead through most of the 2000-meter course; the U.S. rowers pulled even with 250 to go, then Australia put in a last surge.
The U.S team led the Mens’ Fours from start to finish, by .3 seconds at 500, 2.3 at 1000, and 2.8 seconds at 1500. The Netherlands put on a huge effort in the last 500 meters to challenge for the win, but the U.S. men held on to win by half a length, their time 1.11 seconds quicker.
The U.S. men led in Double Sculls at 500 meters, but lost the lead to Germany in the next 500. Serbia moved into second in the third 500, and Hungary came from very far back to nearly pass the U.S. boat at the line, but the U.S. men held on to third and will advance.
In women’s Double Sculls, the U.S. women finished third in their heat and will have to compete in the repechage, or row-off, finishing 6:35 seconds behind the winning New Zealand pair.
