Lightweight Men's Four Final

How do the Danes do it? Denmark has dominated the lightweight four for ages. Occasionally another crew has gotten a short term look-in but never for long. Coached by Bent Fransson, Denmark took to the lead. Kasper Winther, Jacob Larsen, Jacob Barsoe and Morten Joergensen of Denmark are the reigning World and European Champions and in the heats two days ago they set the fastest qualifying time. 

Today, Denmark met winners of the other heat, Great Britain, for the first time. The British have brought back their 2012 Olympic silver medal crew in almost its entirety. Mark Aldred has been added to the crew of Chris Bartley and the Chambers brothers. At the start Denmark took the lead with France chasing hard.

France had to row through the repechage yesterday, but it didn’t seem to be stopping them putting on the heat. By the middle of the race, however, the Brits had sneaked ahead of France and were now targeting Denmark. But Denmark by now had built up nearly a boat length lead. In the final sprint the Danes held that lead with Great Britain accepting silver and France earned bronze. The world order remained for Denmark and the lightweight men’s four.

Results: DEN, GBR, FRA, ESP, GER, POL

Gold – Jacob Barsoe – DEN

I’m tired and happy. It was very difficult with the side wind but the race went to plan and relieved to win.

Bronze – Augustin Mouterde – FRA

We felt like we were in second in the middle of the race but it was tough and we’re very tired.