New Zealand rowers have had another strong day on the water at the Paris Olympics, with both the men's and women's four teams advancing to the finals. The men’s four, consisting of Matt Macdonald, Tom Murray, Ollie Maclean, and Logan Ullrich, dominated their heat on Sunday night, finishing with a time of 6:03.08, more than two seconds ahead of their closest competitors. Leading the entire race, the team delivered a performance that Murray described as "a dream start."
The women’s four, featuring Davina Waddy, Phoebe Spoors, and sisters Kerri Williams and Jackie Gowler, also secured their spot in the finals, finishing second to Great Britain, the favorite for the gold medal. Both New Zealand teams will compete in the finals on Thursday night NZT.
Murray expressed satisfaction with the men's four race, emphasizing the importance of shaking off initial nerves and getting into a rhythm. Ullrich, a first-time Olympian, highlighted the privilege of being part of a seasoned and talented squad, drawing inspiration from five-time Olympian Emma Twigg.
"We learn off each other, we race each other, we bounce off each other, and it's a great environment to be part of," Ullrich said. In other events, Jackie Kiddle and Shannon Cox won their heat in the women’s lightweight double sculls, securing a place in the semifinals. Phillip Wilson and Dan Williamson also progressed to the semifinals in the men's pairs after a close race, with Williamson noting the intensity and competition from other crews.
On the first official day of the Games, single sculler Emma Twigg and fellow single sculler Tom Mackintosh won their opening heats, as did double scullers Lucy Spoors and Brooke Francis. The men’s double scullers, Robbie Manson and Jordan Parry, finished second in their heat. Twigg and Mackintosh will advance to the quarterfinals, while the double scullers are through to the semifinals.
As the competition heats up, New Zealand’s rowers are proving their mettle on the world stage, poised for further success in the days to come.