Saturday Podiums at the 2019 World Rowing Championships in Linz Ottensheim
Yunxia Chen (b), Ling Zhang, Yang Lyu, Xiaotong Cui (s), People's Republic of China, Gold, Agnieszka Kobus Zawojska (b), Marta Wieliczko, Maria Springwald, Katarzyna Zillmann (s), Poland, Silver, Olivia Van Rooijen (b), Inge Janssen, Sophie Souwer, Nicole Beukers (s), Netherlands, Bronze, Women's Quadruple Sculls, 2019 World Rowing Championships, Linz Ottensheim, Austria

A-Final 

China and the Netherlands made it directly into today’s final from the heats. The rest of the field went through the repechages and it was the reigning World Champions, Poland that had the early speed. Poland then went on to be voted World Rowing Women’s Crew of the Year for 2018. China went with Poland and both boats hit the first 500m mark together. China at a comfortable 35 rating looked great as they moved away from the field and across the half way point out in front. Poland now had to watch out for the Netherlands who were challenging for the silver medal spot. The European Champions, Germany were back in fourth and didn’t look like they had the speed.

China continued to power on. Poland tried to catch up with the Netherlands following suit. The sprint was on. China had found another gear and were at 44 with Poland and 41 and the Netherlands at 41. China had won with Poland and the Netherlands crossing for a photo finish. Poland took silver by just 0.03 of a second.

Qualifiers: CHN, POL, NED, GER, NZL, GBR

Yang Lyu, People’s Republic of China, Gold
“We’ve stayed on our rhythm and been focused on our race, never being influenced by the other lanes. We got this results by great efforts, and we deserve it.”

Agnieszka Kobus Zawojska (b), Poland, Silver
“It was pure euphoria when I saw that we came second on the screen! I don’t like to make predictions but let me say that I am confident about the Tokyo 2020 games. Our crew puts on crazy socks because sometimes our boat can be a bit crazy.”

Sophie Souwer, Netherlands, Bronze
“Our start wasn’t very good but at 750 meters we became more fluid and the boat ran better. We kept pushing and got back into the race. Perhaps another 50 metres and the result would have been different but we had a good race and we should be pleased to be on the podium.”

Re-watch the race here