Women’s Pair (W2-) – Olympic Final

There was no doubting the favourites in this race. The World and Olympic Champions, Heather Stanning and Helen Glover of Great Britain had not lost a race together since their 2012 Olympic gold. But in the heats earlier this week, Denmark gave them a run for their money, leading until the close of the race. Today, Stanning and Glover were taking no chances and 40 stroke rowed they had nearly a full boat length lead. The United States crew of Felice Mueller and Grace Luczak followed in second with Denmark’s Hedvig Rasmussen and Anne Andersen in third.

Through the middle of the race Great Britain really showed their class and got their boat to an open water lead. Rasmussen and Andersen did their best to hold on with Mueller and Luczak challenging the Danes for second. Now, from the back of the field, New Zealand’s Genevieve Behrent and Rebecca Scown began to move. They pulled ahead of the United States and where now going after Denmark. Behrent and Scown are also racing tomorrow in the final of the women’s eight and they are two of only three rowers doubling up at this regatta.

Out in front Glover and Stanning watched the silver medal tussle continue. Gold went to Great Britain. Silver to New Zealand and bronze to Denmark. Scown had earned her second Olympic medal and joined a very small group of New Zealand women rowers with more than one Olympic medal.

Results: GBR, NZL, DEN, USA, RSA, ESP

Helen GLOVER (GBR) – gold 

“A massive thanks to our coach, he put that together, that is him. He was away from home pretty much all year.

We love it and it is a privilege to be here. To be able to race for your country and do it for a living is such a privilege. 

Genevieve BEHRENT (NZL) – silver
“It is three years of solid training, it is incredible to get away with a silver medal.”

Hedvig RASMUSSEN (DEN) – bronze
“It is great, I am very surprised about the race that we did. I think there is more to come for our crew.” 

B-final

Kirsten Hartmann and Kathrin Marchand of Germany got away the quickest in this race for being seventh at the Rio Olympic Games. They were followed closely by Poland. The China’s Min Zhang and Tian Miao started to make up ground after coming out at the start rather slowly. One by one Zhang and Miao picked off crews until they gained the lead. Germany held on to second.

Results: CHN, GER, ROU, POL, ITA, FRA