M4x Great racing coming up with the big men in quads.
Heat 1: Italy, USA, Estonia, Russia and France
Russians lead from the start with Estonia alongside and French coming third. Italians wind down and nearly stop 150 m from the line.
Heat 2: Croatia, Australia, Poland, New Zealand
And they’re off – All four in a line with a canvas to Croatia at 500m. Australia drops off the page and NZ aren’t quite up with the Poles in second. Croatians make their 36 rating look easy – great acceleration in their power. Last 500m and the Aussies pusb on and NZ sprint too trying not to get caught. Croatia continue to lead – but the third place is where the race is. Croatia and Poland one and two; Australia third.
Heat 3: Germany, Switzerland, Great Britain, Ukraine
Germany take a confident start and are half a length up on Ukraine at 500m gone with Great Britain half a length behind. The wind is resigning so the middle of the course looks a bit frisky. It’s more a direct tail wind now. Germany showing the rest how it should be one as they glide out to a two length lead. Overhead camera shot is fabulous – parallels of the wave fronts with the oar parallels moving one the top. Britain second and the Ukraine and Switzerland fighting for third.
Update by Wietse Cocu