Women's Pair (W2-) - Final

As has become the pattern, the World, Olympic and European Champions, Heather Stanning and Helen Glover of Great Britain were first out at the start. The British duo love to race from the front and it has proved to be a winning formula for them. Usually by the middle of the race Stanning and Glover have managed to build up a big lead. Today, however, New Zealand’s Grace Prendergast and Kerri Gowler were giving it their all to stick with the British. Coming into the second half of the race Stanning and Glover showed their superiority and started to move away.

In the final sprint Prendergast and Gowler were giving it their all to close the gap and in the final sprint they went to 36. The British moved to 37. Then one bad stroke in the New Zealand boat allowed Glover and Stanning to get the advantage. Great Britain had won, but, to New Zealand’s credit, the gap had closed. Coming through in third were Hedvig Rasmussen and Anne Andersen of Denmark. This was a great result for the Danish duo who finished fifth at the World Rowing Cup II last month in Varese.

Results: GBR, NZL, DEN, CAN, RSA, POL

Heather Stanning – GBR – gold

Helen called the rate really well. It’s the last race before the World Rowing Championships. So much was happening around, but we stayed focused and did what we wanted.

Kerri Gowler – NZL – silver

We have the eight in a few hours, so we just switch to it. I really enjoy racing at the Rotsee, there are always good conditions.

Anne Andersen – DEN – bronze  

We couldn’t see anything at the end of the race. We just counted each stroke until the end. We recently started the pair so it’s an amazing result.

B-final

Australia and France had the next fastest times coming through from yesterday’s semifinals and it was France that took the lead at the start. Australia’s Molly Goodman and Genevieve Horton then really warmed into the race and took over in the lead. Horton and Goodman finished ninth overall at the World Rowing Cup II in Varese and they have been training in Europe leading up to this regatta. The Netherlands then challenged the Aussie lead. Horton and Goodman held them off.

Results: AUS, FRA, NED, GBR, ITA, CRO