Madison Neale, Emma Bagrie, Tegan O'Dwyer and Harriet Thompson went to the start of the Women's Quad A Final at the U23 World Rowing Championships in Duisburg knowing exactly what they were up against. Their coach, Mark Stallard, had put it plainly: the opposition were "big humans, real big humans. And good humans."
The young New Zealand crew had finished last in their heat two days earlier, though their time was good enough to qualify for the final. Mark acknowledged the moment had got to them. "They were probably a little bit spooked," he said. "First international race for three of them, potentially just a wee bit of 'Jesus, these people go fast' type of thing."
By finals morning the mood had shifted. The crew were first off the dock at the Wedau course and came back from their warm-up fired up. "The girls know that this is actually really special and it'll take a hell of an effort," said Mark. "They know they can't worry about what the others are doing."
While the crew headed back to their accommodation for food and rest, Mark kept himself busy dockside. "I'll stay down here until they come back, clean the boat a million times, walk around and drink coffee and be like a dog with two tails not sure where to go or where to look."
The USA had gone in as fastest qualifier, though how much Great Britain had held back in their heat, won by 12 seconds, was anyone's guess. GB were sharp from the gun, going through the first 500 metres in 1:35.52. By 750 metres the Americans had moved clear and the gold was never seriously in doubt. USA went through 1000 metres 1.36 seconds up on GB, the margin stretched to over three seconds at 1500 metres, and they crossed in 6:28.83, finishing 4.25 seconds ahead of GB and 7.53 seconds clear of Italy. It was only the second Women's Quad medal the USA has won, following their 2007 title. New Zealand finished sixth in 6:45.84.
Emma was one of 14 female Stanford athletes at the regatta. One of her fellow freshmen, Sumner Kerr, stroked the winning US boat. "This has been such a great experience," Emma said. "The standard here is just so high, and it's really cool to be around that. We're proud of how far we've come."
Tegan has two more years of U23 eligibility and can't wait to return. "It was awesome. It's a whole different level of speed out here, but proud to make it where we did, and to be competing in the final was awesome."
Mark is thinking long term. "In the big picture we want them to come back, there might be disappointment now, but in that disappointment, they've got to see a way forward." He is not short of enthusiasm himself. "It's racing the best in the world, against the best coaches. It's the place to be if you want to coach. I never not want to be here, I just like the whole thing about it. I like standing in the fire."
Next up for New Zealand is the Men's Eight of Oli Leach, Dylan McConnell, Matthew Glen, Sam Woodgate, Nic Bryan, Josh Syme, Ted Mayne, Luke Hickling and cox Hunter Rowland, who race for gold at 9.03pm tonight (NZT).
