Lightweight Women's Double Sculls (LW2x) - Final

In yesterday’s semifinal New Zealand beat winners of World Rowing Cup II, Great Britain. These two nations got to race each other again today. At the beginning it was South Africa’s Kirsten McCann and Ursula Grobler who had the lead. The South African’s are racing at their first international regatta for the 2015 season and yesterday they won their semifinal.

McCann and Grobler continued to lead at the 1000m mark, but Sophie MacKenzie and Julia Edward had moved up to challenge for the lead. Great Britain’s Charlotte Taylor and Katherine Copeland were also very much within striking distance. This race was going to come down to the final sprint.

Then MacKenzie and Edward got their nose in front. Could South Africa hold on? In the sprint to the line MacKenzie and Edward hit 40 strokes per minute. McCann and Grobler were holding on. Meanwhile Taylor and Copeland were having to deal with a flying United States crew. Devery Karz and Michelle Sechser of the United States were going for it. Karz and Sechser finished 10th at last year’s World Rowing Championships but they have not raced internationally since. Today they won bronze. The British had been pushed off the winners podium.

Results: NZL, RSA, USA, GBR, AUS, GER

Julia Edward – NZL – gold

We always want to have a really solid last 1000m as we did. It’s special to win here as it’s my favourite place to race. We wanted to do better than Varese where we lost on the line.

Ursula Grobler – RSA – silver

I’ve been rowing for the USA before and now I’m so proud to race for South Africa thanks to my partner who has been rowing for South Africa for so long.

Devery Karz – USA – bronze

It’s our first podium in an Olympic boat class ever. It’s one step closer to our goal and it shows that our training paid off. We’re happy to be qualified for the World Rowing Championships.

B-Final

The London Olympic Crew, Denmark led the way before being overtaken by Claire Lambe and Sinead Jennings of Ireland. Once in the lead the Irish stayed in front despite a last minute surge by Ilse Paulis and Maaike Head of the Netherlands.

Results: IRL, NED, DEN, POL, GRE, SUI