We scrutinise the US women’s eight as it emerges and wins, year-upon-year. New boats, but always an Empacher, new blades but always Croker Oars, new crews but, since 2001, the same head coach.
On close inspection, there is not one outstanding USRowing women’s eight. At any moment there could be as many outstanding women’s eights as the team has crew members to fill. For a decade, this specific boat entity has flown past us like a myth. It’s a bird, big-bodied and with ever-changing feathers. Each new feather is unique and, yet, united they invariably align as the optimal plumage for golden swift flight.
Why does the US women’s eight crew always win their races?