PHOTOS thanks to Rowing NZ. Jeff Francis Jeff 3^rd from left in both.

Francis Silver at the 2013 Under 23 World Rowing Champs...

Switzerland had the fastest time coming through from yesterday’s semifinal. But semifinal times were closely packed and this was shaping up to be an incredibly tight race. It was the reigning World Champions, Ukraine, that jumped out first rating a huge 50 strokes per minute. But their lead didn’t last long. Roeoesli, Maillefer, Stahlberg and Delarze of Switzerland had pushed ahead and, rating 35, it looked like they planned to dominate for the entire race.
Going through the middle of the race Switzerland had earned a handy two second margin over Germany who had pushed into second as Ukraine appeared to run out of steam. Then New Zealand started to come back from a very slow start. Had the New Zealanders stuttered at the start, or was this a tactic? A huge piece by New Zealand, rating 39, in the third 500 enabled them to close the gap on the Swiss. Could Switzerland hold on?
 The race had become all about Switzerland and New Zealand. Both boats charged for the line. Switzerland were at 40, New Zealand at 40. Then New Zealand went to 45. The line got closer. The winner was decided by the final surge. Switzerland had done it. Gold to Switzerland, silver to New Zealand and Germany took the bronze.
 The Swiss rowed to a time just four seconds outside of the under-23 World Best Time. The crew from Switzerland took the gold in 5:43.60, New Zealand was close behind in 5:44.20, and the German’s claimed the bronze.