The U.S. women's eight crew, fueled by Camden's Anna Goodale and Boothbay Harbor's Elle Logan, took a huge early lead and won its heat race Monday afternoon, advancing the two-time defending world champs to Sunday's Olympic finals.

In the second men's heat race at the Shunyi Rowing-Canoeing Park, the U.S. men's eight team, with Portland's Wyatt Allen in the third seat, finished second to Great Britain, meaning the men must race again Tuesday in the repechage to have a chance to advance to the finals.

In the women's race, the U.S. finished the 2,000-meter race in 6:06.53, more than two seconds ahead of Great Britain. But defending Olympic champion Romania had the best time of the day, with a 6:05.77.

That didn't matter to the U.S. rowers. After having their race postponed one day because of a thunderstorm, they were in the finals.

"We're excited,'' said Goodale. "It's what we've been training for for the last four years.''

The men's team will race at 5:40 a.m. Tuesday in the repechage, with four of the six repechage boats advancing to Sunday's finals.

The U.S., which is the defending Olympic champion, had the fastest time (5:29.60) of the six repechage boats.

The finals will be on Sunday, the women starting at 5:20 a.m., the men at 5:40 a.m.

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