U.S. Women’s Four, Men’s Double into Finals for Medals

“Everything today went to plan, and we’re going to keep pressing forward in the final,” said Ben Davison, stroke of the U.S. men’s double that had a good start, raced a half-length down to Germany for most of the race, and then raced past them to advance to the Thursday, Aug. 1 final.

Earlier on Tuesday, Kara Kohler advanced out of the quarter finals to the A/B semi of the women’s single, three seconds behind Australia’s Tara Rigney. U.S. single sculler Jacob Phlihal had less of a result, finishing fourth, but sculled the best race of his life.

“Just looking at my StrokeCoach, just seeing numbers I didn’t think I should be seeing,” said Plihal afterwards, “It was definitely the fastest race I’ve ever put together. So, despite not making it into the top-12 A/B semis, I’m proud of going sub 6:50 for the first time.”

Also proud of the best race of their short history together, the U.S. women’s four rowed through China in the last 500 to win the repechage—which was more like a semifinal in the nine-boat field, with the top two advancing to the Thursday A final.

A disappointing semifinal for the top-seeded U.S. women’s double lands them in the B final.

“They didn’t go straight, so they just couldn’t deliver on the power they would be able normally to deliver,” explained chief U.S. Olympic coach Josy Verdonkschot (Isabelle Jacobs coaches the double). “It’s very unfortunate for them because I think they’re much better than this.”

The first races for medals take place Wednesday, July 31 for the quads, and continue daily through Saturday, Aug. 3, concluding with the eights, featuring both U.S. men’s and women’s crews.

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