Hoopman, Daniels Golden at World Rowing Championships
September 05, 2005 | Men's Rowing
The United States, with former Badgers Beau Hoopman (Plymouth, Wis.) and Paul Daniels (Burlington, Wis.), captured the gold medal in the men's eight at the 2005 FISA World Rowing Championships on Sunday.
The men's eight clocked a 5:22.75 to finish 1.26 seconds ahead of Italy as the crews crossed the finish line. The U.S. grabbed the lead early in the race, holding less than a 0.50-second advantage on Russia at the 500-meter mark. Russia continued to challenge the Americans through the midway point of the race before Italy and Germany picked up their pace during the third 500 meters. The U.S. held a 0.62-second advantage on Italy as the crews headed into the last 500 meters before inching away from the field. Italy took silver in 5:24.01, while Germany won the bronze medal with a time of 5:25.66.
For Hoopman, it was his second-straight men's eight title, as he won gold at the 2004 Olympic Summer Games in the men's eight in Athens, Greece. The title for Daniels was his first at the senior level. Both gold medals were the first for a Badger at the world championships since Robert Espeseth won gold in the straight four in 1986.
'In the men's eight, it always looks easier than it is, but they pretty much controlled the race throughout,' said Wisconsin men 's rowing coach Chris Clark.
Hoopman went for a double at this year's event, racing in the straight four in addition to the men's eight. After winning his preliminary head last Monday, and placing second in Thursday's semifinal, the boat placed fifth during Saturday's final. Great Britain won the gold medal after clocking a 6:11.59. The Netherlands won the silver medal, with Canada bringing home the bronze. Great Britain jumped out to the early lead and held the top position all the way down the course. Likewise, the Dutch took control of the second position early on and never relinquished it. The U.S. finished with a time of 6:21.42.
The Americans were slowed by a back injury to bowman Matt Deakin following the preliminary heat.
Clark added, 'For Beau, to have that injury in the men 's four, it prevented him from attempting a sweep in those two events which has never been done in one regatta.'
The men's pair with coxswain that included current Badger coxswain Chase Phillips (Woodbridge, Va.) and former Badger Micah Boyd (St. Paul, Minn.) finished third in the final to win a bronze medal. Australia won the gold medal and Italy the silver. Australia took the lead off the start and was never challenged for the top position. Australia clocked a 7:16.61, with Italy 6.61 seconds behind. The U.S. finished 9.61 seconds back in a 7:26.22.
'It is very exciting,' concluded Clark. 'Both Paul and Beau have put together quite an impressive rowing resume considering they started rowing six years ago this week at the UW. Beau himself has an Olympic gold medal, world championship gold medal, Pan American gold medal and an under-23 world championship gold medal and he is just getting started. Paul won bronze medal at last year's world championships, a gold medal at the under-23 world championships in the men's eight and a gold and silver Pan American Games. I believe Paul is off for Oxford this year to row in the Oxford-Cambridge race.
'It really helps motivate and excite our young guys knowing they too could possibly be in that position in a relatively short time.'
