Lofgren wins gold at world championships

STRATHCLYDE, Scotland — Esther Lofgren, a Newport Harbor High product, won gold along with three others in the women’s quadruple sculls at the World Rowing Under 23 Championships on Sunday.

According to worldrowing.com, the race began with a boat-stopping crab and finished the same way. A crab is a faulty stroke that causes the blade of the oar to strike the water on the recovery stroke.

Logfren and the U.S. women’s team handled it the best.

At the start, the Netherlands flew out of the blocks to take an early lead. However in the second 500 meters, Willemiek Everts caught a crab that stopped the boat. The Dutch fought back, and Romania took the lead.

Meanwhile, Germany began to pick up speed with Australia right with them. Coming into the final sprint, under three seconds separated the top boats with the Netherlands clawing their way back.

Germany charged and in the heat of the moment caught a crab. The United States took advantage of the situation and won.

— From staff reports