PLOVDIV, Bulgaria – Cornell alumni Tracy Eisser '12 helped the United States' women's eight reclaim the world title they relinquished in 2017 by earning a two-second victory over Canada on the final day of competition at the 2018 World Rowing Championships.
 
Eisser, who now has two World Championships to her credit (2015 – USA W4x) becomes just the second Big Red rowing alumni to win multiple World Championships, joining Nick Anderson '97. She is also the first female rower to take gold at a World Championships in an eight, and the first Cornell rower overall to do so since Colin Farrell '05 (2008 – USA LM8+).
 
In the women's eight race, Eisser's crew trailed off the line and sat in second position behind Australia at the 500-meter mark. The U.S. began to build its rhythm during the second quarter of the race and took the lead as the crews hit the halfway point. Over the third 500 meters, the U.S. continued to push ahead of Australia and the third-place crew from The Netherlands. Canada also began to up its rate to try to move into medal contention, eventually passing the Dutch boat as the crews crossed the 1,500-meter mark. Over the final sprint, the U.S. increased its margin, crossing the line in a 6:00.97, 2.08 seconds ahead of the late-charging Canadian crew. Australia held on for the bronze medal.
 
The victory gave the U.S. its 12th win in the event in the last 13 years.
 
On the men's side of the competition, Cornell alumni Alex Karwoski '12 helped the U.S. men's eight to a fourth place finish, missing the medal stand by 0.17 seconds. Fourth off the line, the American boat rowed in third position through the middle 1,000 meters behind Germany and Great Britain, with Australia sitting in fourth just off the pace. The Germans controlled the race at the front of the field, while Great Britain held about a one-second advantage over the U.S. moving into the final stretch. The Brits' hold on the silver medal evaporated during the final sprint as the three crews crossed the line within one foot of each other. In the end, Australia had put its bow-ball ahead of Great Britain, claiming the silver medal by 0.03 seconds. Germany won the race in a 5:24.31, with Australia clocking a 5:26.11. The U.S. finished in a 5:26.31.
 
In the C final of the men's pair, Poland bested the U.S. duo of Cornell alumni Michael Colella '16 and Anders Weiss at the line for second place by less than a bow ball. Australia rowed at the front of the race throughout with the U.S. in second position. Poland held off a charge from Ireland in the third 500 and used the momentum to catch the U.S. at the line, winning by 0.01 seconds. Australia won in a 6:23.81, with Poland finishing in a 6:27.28 and the U.S. in a 6:27.29.