Junior Women's Eight (JW8+) - Final

Two days ago Germany had won their heat and come directly to the final with the fastest qualifying time. The United States had also come directly to the final after winning their heat. These two boats met for the first time today in the final. Germany had the status of being the reigning junior World Champions with the United States hoping to follow the incredible legacy set by their Olympic and World Champion senior counterparts.

Germany went off at 42 strokes per minute to take the lead with Romania and Australia the closest challengers. But margins were tight and with 500m rowed only two seconds separated the top four boats. Germany had settled into a 36 stroke rate rhythm to keep the lead with Romania continued to follow in second. Romania had broken a rigger during the heats and had to come to this final via the repechage.

Australia then did a big push to get them just a fraction ahead of Romania with the United States now moving up on both Australia and Romania. Germany continued to lead. A push by Australia with 400m left to row gave them a clear silver medal spot. The battle for the lesser medals remained fierce as Romania would not let Australia get away. In the last 250m Germany had broken away to be the clear leaders and they were watching a huge battle for silver and bronze as Italy had gone to a 41 stroke rate to get themselves well in the mix.

As Germany crossed in first, a sprint separated by one second saw Italy grab silver and the United States earning bronze. The lower rating Australia missed out.

Results: GER, ITA, USA, AUS, ROU, CHN

Marieluise Witting (b) – GER – gold
“It’s really great, we thought we would not be good at the start, but actually we were nearly in front. It was so great and we had so much fun.”

Ottavia Ravoni (2) – ITA – silver
“The race was incredible, I cannot believe that we could get on the podium on the top of the world.”

Audrey Malzahn (c) – USA – bronze
“It’s amazing to be coached by Susanna Francia, she pushed us harder than we thought we could. We now see rowing in a different way.”