Womens Double Sculls

The wide range of entries in this event shows that there are no dominant players in Womens Double Sculls, but Poland leads this year’s results chart.

• Australia “This season Horton and Kehoe have formed an effective partnership taking silver in Lucerne and also making the A-Final in Poznan. I reckon they have an outside chance of a medal.”
• Belarus “Belarus have been playing with their line-ups in the past 12 months. Initially the line-up was Bichyk and Karsten – two of the most experienced rowers in the while rowing world.  The line-up for rio has settled on Bichyk and Tatsiana Kukhta.  An A-Final finish will be a good result for this double.”
• France “After an 8th place finish at the World Championships in 2015 they have made a great start to 2016, finishing 5th in Lucerne and picking up a bronze medal in Poznan – their first medal as a crew. The question is can the build on this progress in Rio and get into the A-Final and then perhaps be an outside bet for a medal.”
• Great Britain “A 5th place in Poznan was by no means a disaster but it’s going to be a remarkable turnaround for the British to get among the medals let alone challenge for gold.”
• Germany “The W2x is definitely being sacrificed for the sake of the W4x. The only race Adams and Arnold have had was at Poznan where they finished a disappointing 7th. Given how late this combination has been put together I will be very surprised if they feature in the A-Final.”
• Greece “Sofia Asoumanaki is one of the most outstanding young scullers in the world right now. The partnership she’s formed with Asoumanaki has masses of potential but they are a bit “hit-and-miss” on their day they can challenge for the major medals but if not then they could be back in the B-Final.”
• Lithuania “A relatively disappointing European Championships was followed by a stunning victory at Lucerne where they looked to be back to their very best. Can they follow this up with a medal in Rio? I think it’s a strong possibility, I will pick them to take silver.”
• New Zealand “In Poznan they took silver behind Poland. But, was there early season form a blip or something more fundamental? We’ll only know that once racing starts in Rio, but they will still be heading into the Games as one of the favourites for the title, indeed I’m picking them for gold.”
• Poland “Madaj and Fularczyk are the in-form crew of 2016. They’ve raced twice and won twice, taking the gold in Varese and Poznan.”
• USA “Their best performance at a World Championships together was 6th in 2014. They’ve yet to make an international appearance this season but they are an experienced duo and can be expected to race well in Rio.“

Mens Double Sculls

A wide range of crews in this event with some “likelys” and some “maybes” in the mix for mens double sculls.

• Croatia “The Sinkovic brothers are, quite simply, the best M2X in the history of the sport. They have only ever lost one race as a double, and that was their very first, the M2X heat at the Aiguebelette World Cup in 2016 (they then went on to win the rep, semi and final and have remained unbeaten ever since). It’ll be an upset of seismic proportions if the Croatians do not win gold in Rio.”
• France “The French are another nation with a strong history in this event.  This duo are strong contenders for an A-final placing and an outside bet for a medal.”
• Germany “One of the most experienced duo’s in the event, with six Olympic appearances between them. Marcel Hacker is one of the outstanding scullers in the world for nearly 20 years. Whilst they’ve had some injury worries they’ve also shown some outstanding speed, winners of the European Championships in 2015 and just missing the medals at the 2015 World Championships. In 2016 they’ve got another European Championship medal and will definitely be among the contenders for a medal in Rio.”
• Great Britain “I don’t think Collins or Walton would object too strongly to me describing their partnership as serial under-achievers. Can they fulfil the promise they’ve been showing in training? It’s going to be tough, but if there’s a time to put it all together then it’s at the Olympics.”
• Italy “On their day they are more than capable of taking a medal, but their form so far this season suggests they may miss out.”
• New Zealand “ In 2015 Robbie Manson formed yet another doubles partnership, this time with Harris and so far they have shown they have the speed to medal, taking bronze in Aiguebelette and winning the Poznan World Cup in 2016. They are my picks to win silver behind the Croatians.”
• Norway “Olaf Tufte is a true legend of the sport. Rio will be his 6th Olympic Games. So far they’ve had some strong results making the A-Final at each regatta they’ve raced. They will be one of the main contenders for the minor medals.”