Women's Double Sculls Final

Two days ago Poland recorded the fastest qualifying time in the heats. Magdalena Fularczyk and Natalia Madaj of Poland set a new European Best Time at this time. But today Fularczyk and Madaj were up against the World Champions, Donata Vistartaite and Milda Valciukaite of Lithuania. 

Taking no chances Fularczyk and Madaj jumped out at the start and took a small lead over Vistartaite and Valciukaite. The Lithuanian duo started off their season at the World Rowing Cup in Sydney where they finished second to Australia. Coming through the middle of the race Poland and Lithuania appeared to be racing their own race at the head of the field with the margin between these two leaders being very tight. Then, Olympic medallist Fularczyk made her move. This was enough to give Poland a decent edge over Lithuania. But the Poles must have been aware of Lithuania’s ability to sprint. Was this move enough?

Both boats continued to push into the final sprint with Lithuania inching closer and closer to Poland. Fularczyk and Madaj were able to hold them off. The Poles won gold. Lithuania got the silver and Nicole Beukers and Inge Janssen of the Netherlands earned the bronze medal.

Results: POL, LTU, NED, GER, GBR, RUS

Gold – Natalia Madaj – POL 

I am very, very happy. It’s out first race of the year, so it’s a great start to 2014.

Silver – Donata Vistartaite – LTU

We were pushing for first but sport sometimes doesn’t work out. But we are happy and next time we’ll be better. We were motivated to get first – we focused on catching on Poland but today they were too strong.

Bronze – Nicole Beukers – NED

We’re so tired! We like this weather in fact – it was an incredible race, we executed our race plan.