Smit Earns Bronze at U23 Worlds

VARESE, Italy – Stanford senior Kaess Smit helped push the USA men’s eight to a bronze medal on the final day of the Under-23 World Championships in Varese, Italy.

Smit, sitting four seat in the U.S. boat, provided the necessary power for the Americans to medal in the event. Team USA got off to a great start out of the gate and shared the lead with New Zealand after the first quarter of the race.

At the midway point it was still the U.S. and New Zealand at the front. New Zealand then started to pull away and down the final stretch Australia made a big push to overtake the Americans. Team USA crossed the finish line in third with a time of 5:32.18. They were just under two seconds behind Australia, who earned silver. New Zealand cruised to the gold medal. Germany, Italy and Great Britain rounded out the field.

For Smit he claims his second straight bronze medal at the U23 World Championships. He also helped the U.S. pick up a bronze in the four last summer in Linz, Austria.

Results

Men’s Eight
1. New Zealand – 5:28.82
2. Australia – 5:30.45
3. USA – 5:32.18
4. Germany – 5:35.76
5. Italy – 5:36.94
6. Great Britain – 5:37.07