WOMEN’S QUADS
W4x
Words: Rachel Quarrell / Photography: Steve McArthur
Sir Steve Redgrave doesn't do complacent particularly well, but even he was looking ever so slightly smug before the women's quads final, with his superlative Chinese crew in very fine form. The last time the world lined up together in full China bossed the event, with the Poles and Dutch joining them on the 2019 worlds podium, each having claimed gold in a previous year. Now here in Tokyo, looking undisturbed by heat, wind and waves, the Chinese quartet had smoothly qualified straight for the final in a howlingly quick time, whilst the Germans were harried to their heat win, the Poles and Dutch had not yet showed anything special, and Italy and FOQR qualifiers Australia beat European silver medallists Britain to reach the final.