Women's Pair (W2-) - Final

A–Final

The World Champions from New Zealand Grace Prendergast and Kerri Gowler got off the a very good start. They were meeting Caileigh Filmer and Hillary Janssens of Canada for the first time today. Filmer and Janssens won World Rowing Cup I last month and they looked to be the biggest challengers to the Kiwis. Prendergast and Gowler are the World Best Time holders in this boat class and they got to Europe in time for World Rowing Cup II where they won. Canada and New Zealand now moved away from the rest of the field. Both countries were rating 36 as they went into the third 500 of the race.

Behind the leaders the United States Two of Kristine O’Brien and Felice Mueller had the best speed and they led over USA1. Coming into the final sprint Filmer and Janssens remained within striking distance of the Kiwis. Both boats went to 38 with Prendergast and Gowler realising Canada was closing. The New Zealanders just clung onto the lead.

Results: NZL, CAN, USA2, USA1, CHN1, AUS

Re-watch the live race here 

B-Final

Spain was unlucky not to make the A-final following yesterday’s repechage. They left in second behind France and these two tussled for the entire 2000m race, swapping leads more than once. The better sprint went to Spain and Anna Boada Peiro and Aina Cid Flavie Bahuaud and they finished first.

Results: ESP, FRA1, POL, IRL1, FRA2

Grace Prendergast (b), New Zealand, gold
“Really excited coming into the race as we knew the Canadians were strong. It turned out to be a great race. Lucerne is one of our favourite regattas as it really embraces the sport and it feels like a home regatta to us.”

Hillary Janssens (s), Canada, silver 
“It just felt really closet the whole way with the New Zealand boat. It was great to race them and we can see why they’re the world best time holders and world champions. It’ll be fun to continue racing them and see where the season takes us.”

Felice Mueller (s), United States of America, bronze
“We weren’t expecting much, we just wanted to build on our other races and execute our plan a bit better. Now we just have to recover for the eight this afternoon.”