Canadian Women Rated in Olympic Rowing Event
On Sunday the heats for the Women's Eight Olympic rowing event are scheduled, and although this event has traditionally been dominated by the Americans, this year the team from Canada are highly touted to pull off an upset win over their neighbors to the south.
As its name suggests, this an event involving eight rowers plus a cox (a kind of
on board cheerleader, for those
unfamiliar with the sport). The Canadian Womens Eight rowers comprise J Hanson,
R Viinberg, K Guloien, L Wilkinson, N Mastracci, A Brzozowicz, D Marquardt and A
Morin, with L Thompson-Willie as the cox.
Canada came Close to Beating the USA
According to many online sportsbooks, if there is one team that could keep the always strong Americans at bay, it's the Canadians, which is why many have posted the Canucks as the none-too-shabby 3/1 odds second favorite to win gold in this event. Plus it won't be lost on rowing betting fans that Canada came painfully close to beating the USA at the second World Cup earlier this year.
But the USA Women's Eight contingent should by no means be underestimated, especially as five of the eight rowers won gold at the Beijing Olympics last time out. This means that they know exactly what needs to be done and how to go about maximizing their chances. Add to that the undeniably impressive fact that the USA team has not lost a race since 2005.
However, winning streaks are meant to be broken and if the Canadian team can just knock out the Netherlands and Romania in Heat 2 on Sunday (July 29), they'll give themselves a much-needed confidence boost, and be one step closer to stopping the Americans in their strokes.
Romania Are Also Good at this Event
It must be mentioned though that the Romanian team are no slouches, and in fact have proved to be Team USA's biggest competition in recent years. So while many online sportsbooks are predicting an upset this year, Team Canada will certainly have their work cut out for them.
In Heat 1 of this event - also scheduled for Sunday - USA will take on Great Britain, Germany and Australia. It will be interesting to see if the Americans dominate as expected, or whether one of the more long shot teams will pull off a surprise upset. Only time will tell.
According to top-rated Irish online bookmaker Paddy Power, the USA are the 2/9 favorites, followed by Canada and then Holland on 25/1. Here is the latest Olympic Womens Eight betting line at Bodog:
Bodog Olympic Womens Eight Odds
USA - 1/4
Canada - 11/4
Great Britain - 20/1
Netherlands - 28/1
Romania - 28/1
Germany - 66/1
Australia - 100/1
