The USA has dominated this event over the past six years, winning every major championship in that time span. The biggest competition in London will most likely be the Canadians, who came up just short against the Americans in 2011.

When the USA gets on the water in London, Lofgren’s parents will be there to watch her Olympic dream realized.

“On some level, most of us—and I might include myself in that—would be just so thrilled to be where she is, that the medal would be icing on the cake,” Christine said. “But I think given how they‘ve worked and who they are and the mentality of the people in this boat, there’s got to be a medal and I think they’re definitely thinking gold.”

There will definitely be a bulls-eye on the Americans’ back in London, but Lofgren and company would have it no other way.

“I think coming in with our top record and being the defending champions, there’s definitely an expectation,” Esther said. “But that’s something that motivates us, to be the favorite. We just want to go out there and race as hard and fast as we can, and everything else will fall into place.”

−Staff writer Alexander Koenig can be reached at akoenig@college.harvard.edu.