U.S. Women’s Olympic Double Despondent Despite Advancing

There was plenty of rain, but little wind, on the first day of rowing at the Olympics. Four U.S. boats finished in the top three to avoid the reps and advance directly to the quarter finals (singles) and semifinals (doubles). The women’s quad finished fourth in their heat and will need to place in the top two in Monday’s repechage to make the grand final.

“There’s maybe a little crosswind here and there, but for the most part it’s pretty flat,” said U.S. single sculler Jacob Plihal, “which is great to row in for day one.”

The U.S. women’s Olympic double of Kristi Wagner and Sophia Vitas finished third in their heat to advance to the A/B semifinal, but were deeply disappointed afterwards. “Frustrating,” said a morose Wagner, who said she considered pulling a Bill Belichek and saying only “on to Cincinnati.”

The pairs, fours, and lightweight women’s double—all featuring U.S. crews— race their first heats Sunday.

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