Coxless Fours, Women

The women’s four was considered wide open with no clear favorite. Among the challengers were mentioned Australia, the Netherlands, and Romania.

Australia was the defending gold medalist in the women’s four, but two of their rowers, Jess Morrison and Annabelle McIntyre, had moved on to the women’s pair. Australia won bronze at the 2022 World Championships and was second behind Romania at the 2023 Luzern Regatta. Netherlands won the 2023 World Championships, after finishing second in 2002. The Dutch four was third at the European Championships in both 2023 and 2024. Romania was runner-up at the 2023 World Championships. They won the title at the 2023 Luzern Regatta.

Australia failed to make the A final, finishing last in the repêchage. The Netherlands went out to an early lead in the final, followed by Great Britain, with Romania in third. The Netherlands would hold on for the gold medal, but just barely, as Britain closed strongly, finishing only 0.18 seconds behind at the finish. Romania could not withstand a strong push by New Zealand, who came on to take the bronze medal.

The British crew included Helen Glover, who won her third Olympic medal, after golds in the pair in 2012 and 2016. It also included Sam Redgrave, who was no relation to legendary British rower Steven Redgrave.

The New Zealand crew included Phoebe Spoors, whose older sister, Lucy Spoors, had won a gold medal in double sculls about 20 minutes earlier in the regatta. On their team was Jackie Gowler, who won a silver medal in the eight at Tokyo 2020. Gowler’s sister, Kerri Williams, was also in the New Zealand boat, completing her medal set, as at Tokyo 2020 she had won gold in the eight and silver in the pair.