ITA, defending World Champion, is the gold medal favorite. ITA would be all alone in
this event except for excellent Sydney performances so far by JPN, which was 7th at the
1999 Worlds. JPN set the second fastest heat time, and won its repechage heat in the
fastest time of the four heats. JPN is definitely in contention for a medal with these
performances. We believe this could be the first Olympic rowing medal for JPN. FRA also
won its heat, but GRE has done well here and could give FRA trouble. FRA must stay closer
to GRE in the 2nd 500 meters. The following report is a mix of heat times, and suggests
that GRE will move out on FRA in that second interval. ITA, JPN and GRE should advance to
the FA final, with a strong challenge from FRA for the 3rd qualifying place.LANE CREW RELATIVE POSITIONS ELAPSED SPLIT
1500* CREW TIME TIME
---+---+---+---+---+---+
6 GRE <GRE ITA 1:32.56 1:32.56
5 JPN <JPN FRA 1:34.31 1:34.31
4 ITA <ITA GRE 1:34.50 1:34.50
3 FRA <FRA MEX 1:35.58 1:35.58
2 ESP <ESP JPN 1:36.27 1:36.27
1 MEX <MEX ESP 1:36.94 1:36.94
---+---+---+---+---+---+
1000*
---+---+---+---+---+---+
6 GRE <GRE ITA 3:09.52 1:36.95
5 JPN <JPN JPN 3:10.83 1:34.55
4 ITA <ITA GRE 3:12.10 1:37.60
3 FRA <FRA MEX 3:13.05 1:37.46
2 ESP <ESP FRA 3:13.99 1:39.67
1 MEX <MEX ESP 3:16.60 1:39.66
---+---+---+---+---+---+
500 *
---+---+---+---+---+---+
6 GRE <GRE ITA 4:45.80 1:36.27
5 JPN <JPN JPN 4:48.13 1:37.30
4 ITA <ITA GRE 4:50.58 1:38.48
3 FRA <FRA MEX 4:51.61 1:38.56
2 ESP <ES FRA 4:53.72 1:39.72
1 MEX <MEX ESP 4:56.70 1:40.10
---+---+---+---+---+---+
FINISH*
---+---+---+---+---+---+
6 GRE <GRE ITA 6:24.73 1:38.92
5 JPN <JPN JPN 6:27.00 1:38.86
4 ITA <ITA GRE 6:29.67 1:39.09
3 FRA <FRA MEX 6:31.23 1:39.61
2 ESP <ESP FRA 6:32.73 1:39.01
1 MEX <MEX ESP 6:34.89 1:38.19
---+---+---+---+---+---+
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