U23 Women's Eight (BW8+) - Final

The United States are legendary in the women’s eight, having not lost a single race at senior level in ten years. Their under-23 crew have also been doing well and last year they took world gold at under-23 level. In the race for lanes, it was Germany though that crossed the line first.

Russia stormed out in front initially, with the United States following in a close second. Germany seemed unable to hold the pace and were still back in fifth at the half-way mark. Great Britain and the Netherlands swapped between third and fourth throughout the first half, with Great Britain securing their bronze medal in the second half.

By the half-way mark, the United States had moved up in front ahead of Russia. But the Russian crew refused to let go and held on fast to their silver medal until the line.

Results: USA, RUS, GBR, GER, NED, BLR 

Erin Reelick – USA – gold 
“I think it was very good not to win the preliminary race. This time we were ready on the line and we knew we had to go. It was harder than last year, it is fantastic.”

Elena Oriabinskaia – RUS – silver 
“We are so happy, we are so shocked to have a medal, it is my dream.”

Nicole Lamb – GBR – bronze
“It was a good race, we gave our all. Our cox sang the national anthem at about 750m to go, she is the best cox ever.”