Olympics 2012 - Rowing Finals

Olympic Rowing reaches a huge climax at Eton Dorney today with the last four finals making up part of Super Saturday. There are high hopes for British Golds today in not only the Men’s four, but the omen’s lightweight double sculls as well, with both teams assuming favouritism for those events.

Men’s Four Final: One of the blue ribald events of the Olympic regatta, this looks to be a set duel between Britain and Australia. The Australian’s beat Great Britain’s flagship crew of Andrew Triggs Hodge, Pete Reed, Tom James and Alex Gregory the last time they raced before London, but the form was reversed with a strong showing from Britain – possibly to boost confidence infront of a partisan crowd – to take semi-final victory. If anyone can work out if Australia were just easing down and saving themselves, then they have the betting adnvtage, although with even Germany and the USA impossible to separate in the race for bronze, this looks impossible to call.

Great Britain are excelling at the rowing in the Women's games 

Women’s Single Sculls Final: Mirka Knapkova is now favourite after some superb performances, and it’s hard to argue with the market making the woman who has won all three of her races so far (in the best times too mind), and if her semi-final performance it to be believed than she’s got a cracking chance at gold, with no rival coming within half a second of her semi-final winning time. The biggest threat looks to be Australia Kim Crow, who was superb in the women’s double sculls despite being thrashed by Britain in the final, and if that hasn’t taken too much out of her then she’ll make a bold bid, although the favourite does have the advantage on times here. China’s Xiyun Zhang posted the best heats times and should be a big medal contender although she was well beaten in the semi-final but Fie Erichesen. However, Mirka Kapnkova looks to be the outstanding bet.

Advice: 2 pts Mirka Kapnkova (13/5 general)

Men’s Lightweight Double Final: One of the most competitive events,  highlighted by the fact that in the n the semifinals only four seconds separated the six finalists. Anyone of four teams have a strong chance with home advantage only just making GB’s Mark Hunter and Zac Purchase, who have regularly doing battle against 2009 World Champions, Storm Uru and Peter Taylor of New Zealand in the heats. However the French gave the Brits – who had been in poor form at the regatta before Eton Dorney started this year a scare in their semi and Denmark’s consistency has to be respected too. In a tight final, this could come down to Great Britain and New Zealand, with New Zealand just a point bigger at 3/1, they get the call to overturn the WC defeat.

Advice: 1 pt New Zealand (3/1 general, 10/3 Skybet)

Women’s Lightweight Double Sculls Final: Great Britain are looking for a big haul of medals on Super Saturday and Katherine Copeland and Sophie Hosking, fastest in the heats and the semis, have enough to see off China and World Champions Greece in front of the home crowd today.

Advice: 3 pts Great Britain (4/6 general)