[2 for 2028]

Chierika (Coco) Ukogu, racing as the Nigerian women's single sculler, placed fifth in her quarterfinal and will be racing in the first of two C/D semifinals, where the top three finishers from each of the semifinals will advance to the C-level final (places 13-18) and the last three will advance to the D-level final (places 19-24).  Her race will be at 11:40am tomorrow (local time, I presume).

Elle Logan and the US women's eight stormed their way into the A-final (dominant fashion) yesterday and thus will skip tomorrow's repechage.  As expected, the dynasty should continue...fingers crossed.

Grace Luczak (in the women's pair) recorded the second fastest time among all the heats (second only to the British favorites) and will race in the second A/B semifinal tomorrow at 8:30am.  The US pair has been assigned a lane right next to the Brits...big showdown in the works.  This has been a very pleasant surprise--we knew the US women's team was deep and would be strong, but a close second-fastest time overall (and a win in their heat) from the the US pair has raised expectations.  Do they race the semi strategically, sandbagging to save energy?  Or do they sell out to crack the Brits and strike fear into the imperialists??

Austin Hack and the US men's eight finished second in their heat and will race a 5-boat repechage tomorrow at 10am where the top four will move on to the A-final (yeah, not many entries in this event this quadrennial cycle). I expect the US to beat either Poland or Italy, if not New Zealand.  I wouldn't gas out trying to beat the Dutch in a don't-be-last rep...survive and advance.

Fullmetal, I believe either you or VG discussed strategy in terms of putting together first and second boats for NCAA championship.  Do you have any insight that you can provide in terms of putting together an Olympic rowing team.  For example, how do the women's pairs rowers compare to those on the eight?  Or does it come down to sculling vs. sweep?  Do teams that are not as deep as the US women put their best rowers in the pairs of fours?  Can someone be really good as an individual or in a pair, but not good when part of a bigger crew? 

[2 for 2028]

Chierika (Coco) Ukogu, racing as the Nigerian women's single sculler, placed fifth in her quarterfinal and will be racing in the first of two C/D semifinals, where the top three finishers from each of the semifinals will advance to the C-level final (places 13-18) and the last three will advance to the D-level final (places 19-24).  Her race will be at 11:40am tomorrow (local time, I presume).

Elle Logan and the US women's eight stormed their way into the A-final (dominant fashion) yesterday and thus will skip tomorrow's repechage.  As expected, the dynasty should continue...fingers crossed.

Grace Luczak (in the women's pair) recorded the second fastest time among all the heats (second only to the British favorites) and will race in the second A/B semifinal tomorrow at 8:30am.  The US pair has been assigned a lane right next to the Brits...big showdown in the works.  This has been a very pleasant surprise--we knew the US women's team was deep and would be strong, but a close second-fastest time overall (and a win in their heat) from the the US pair has raised expectations.  Do they race the semi strategically, sandbagging to save energy?  Or do they sell out to crack the Brits and strike fear into the imperialists??

Austin Hack and the US men's eight finished second in their heat and will race a 5-boat repechage tomorrow at 10am where the top four will move on to the A-final (yeah, not many entries in this event this quadrennial cycle). I expect the US to beat either Poland or Italy, if not New Zealand.  I wouldn't gas out trying to beat the Dutch in a don't-be-last rep...survive and advance.

Fullmetal, I believe either you or VG discussed strategy in terms of putting together first and second boats for NCAA championship.  Do you have any insight that you can provide in terms of putting together an Olympic rowing team.  For example, how do the women's pairs rowers compare to those on the eight?  Or does it come down to sculling vs. sweep?  Do teams that are not as deep as the US women put their best rowers in the pairs of fours?  Can someone be really good as an individual or in a pair, but not good when part of a bigger crew?