Johnson Helps U.S. Women's Eight to World-Best Time
8/15/2004 12:00:00 AM | Rowing, Olympics
SCHINIAS, Greece -- University of Michigan women's rowing alumna Kate Johnson (1998-2001) had a record-setting day as the bow seat in the U.S. women's eight on Sunday (Aug. 15) at the Summer Olympic Games. In its preliminary heat, the U.S. crew achieved the world's best time by finishing the 2,000-meter course in 5:56.55 at the Schinias Olympic Rowing and Canoeing Center. With the victory the U.S. received an automatic berth into the A Final on Sunday, Aug. 22, for the opportunity to earn a medal.
The U.S. led the race wire to wire but was pushed hard by both Romania and Germany. Through the first 500 meters of the race the Americans held a 1.63-second advantage over Germany. By the halfway point of the race the U.S. had barely extended its lead to 1.99 seconds with Romania having taken second away from Germany. The Romanians continued to close on the U.S. and trailed by only 0.70 seconds with the final quarter of the race remaining.
In the final sprint the Americans held off the charge by Romania and won the race in 5:56.55, just 0.22 seconds ahead of the Romanians (5:56.77). The Romanian time also broke the previous world best. Germany finished third in 5:59.75 and Australia was fourth in 6:02.77. Romania, Germany and Australia will all compete in a repechage on Tuesday (Aug. 17) in order to requalify for the A Final.
Johnson's next race will be in the A Final at 10:10 a.m. Athens time (3:10 a.m. EDT) on Sunday, Aug. 22, for the chance to stand atop the Olympic podium.
Another U-M women's rowing alumna, Kate MacKenzie (1997-98), earned a fifth-place finish in the U.S. women's pair in an Olympic preliminary heat Saturday morning (Aug. 14). MacKenzie and her partner, Sarah Jones, will compete again on Wednesday (Aug. 18) in a repechage for the chance to remain in contention for a medal.
Through the first 500 meters of the race the U.S. duo sat in fourth place, 5.58 seconds behind leading Belarus. Great Britain and Germany were in second and third, respectively, while France was in fifth. At the halfway point of the race the placement of each boat remained the same as the Belarussians continued to extend their lead. In the final quarter of the race the French pair overtook MacKenzie's shell, dropping the U.S. into fifth with a final time of 7:53.78. With a winning time of 7:27.73, Belarus advanced directly to the A Final. Great Britain (7:34.66), Germany (7:44.00) and France (7:49.70) took second, third and fourth, respectively.
MacKenzie's next race will be at 10:30 a.m. local Greek time (3:20 a.m. EDT) on Aug. 18 vs. Canada, China and Germany. The top two boats from that race will advance to the A Final for the opportunity to earn a medal, while the bottom two will be relegated to the B Final. The A Final is scheduled for Saturday (Aug. 21), and the B Final is set for Thursday (Aug. 19).
Former U-M men's rowing club team member Steve Warner (1997-2000) helped guide the U.S. men's lightweight four boat into a third-place finish in its Sunday (Aug. 15) heat to earn a berth in the semifinal round which will take place on Thursday (Aug. 19) at 9:10 a.m. Athens time.
Finishing third out of four boats in the final lightweight four heat of the day, the crew of Warner, Paul Teti, Patt Todd and Matt Smith posted a time of 5:54.68, 4.44 seconds behind heat winner Austria. The U.S. boat did post the best second-half time of the race on its way to the semis. The top three finishers from each heat moved on to Thursday's semifinals. Canada and Denmark won the other two heats, with the Netherlands, Austria, Italy, Ireland and Germany also earning berths in the semis.
RESULTS
Women's Eight (Aug. 15) Heat 1 1. USA 5:56.55* 2. Romania 5:56.77 3. Germany 5:59.75 4. Australia 6:02.77 Heat 2 1. Netherlands 6:04.10* 2. China 6:06.20 3. Canada 6:12.40 * Advanced to A Final Women's Pair (Aug. 14) Heat 1 1. Belarus 7:27.73* 2. Great Britain 7:34.66 3. Germany 7:44.00 4. France 7:49.70 5. USA 7:53.78 Heat 2 1. Romania 7:29.74* 2. Canada 7:42.36 3. Bulgaria 7:52.45 4. China 7:53.30 5. New Zealand 9:37.53 * Advanced to A Final
