New Zealand's women's four
New Zealand's Kayla Pratt (b), Kelsey Bevan, Grace Prendergast and Kerri Gowler (s) wait for the start of the A-final of the women's four at the 2014 World Rowing Championships in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

By the middle of the race the United States had managed to edge into second with China and France going neck-and-neck for third. Meanwhile New Zealand remained in a class of their own at the head of the field as China managed to break away from France to secure a medal spot. At the line New Zealand had obliterated the World Best Time by a huge 11 seconds. The new time is 6:14.36. The United States, looking a bit rough around the edges in these conditions, remained in second with China the bronze medallist.

Results: NZL, USA, CHN, FRA, CAN, UKR

Gold – PRATT, Kayla (NZL)
Amazing, the race just went so fast.

Silver – FRANCIA, Zsuzsanna (USA)
It was a special experience, making it to the final is always great. We were definitely disappointed to get the silver. In terms of expectations we go out fighting intending to win, but today wasn’t our day.

Bronze – HE, Sihui (CHN)
We are very excited as a lot of spectators were shouting and screaming.

B-final

Right from the beginning Rustenburg, van Veen, Wielaard and van der Meulen of the Netherlands did exactly what the crowd wanted – got out in front and stayed there for the rest of the race. By the end they had a big winning gap over Germany.

Results: NED, GER, ITA, IRL