Lightweight Women’s Double Sculls (LW2x) – Final

A–Final

Through the season the Dutch had been showing best form. They took gold at the European Championships and won the World Cup at the start of the season. But today they were up against the reigning World Champions, Ionela-Livia Cozmiuc and Gianina-Elena Beleaga of Romania as well as last year’s silver medallists, Zoe McBride and Jackie Kiddle of New Zealand. But it was the new British pairing that had the lead at the start with Romania in hot pursuit. The slow-starting Dutch (Ilse Paulis and Marieke Keijser) followed in fourth but were still very much on the pace.

Cozmiuc and Beleaga then pushed into the lead with the British and Switzerland the closest challengers. Coming through to the final sprint Romania continued to lead with the Dutch now moving up on the Swiss and the British. Margins were closing. Who had the best sprint? Romania went to 41 and the Dutch matched them at the same stroke rate. The United States, though was moving the fastest at 39. Romania had won. The US overtook the Dutch to score silver.

Results: ROU, USA, NED, SUI, GBR, NZL

Gianina-Elena Beleaga (s), Romania, gold
“I can’t explain how I’m feeling at the moment, there are so many emotions going through my head. We’re very happy with this title and hopefully we’ll continue to the Olympics.”

Emily Schmieg (b), United States of America, silver
“This is an unreal feeling! We’re thrilled that we could execute the race plan today. We’re not quite sure what happened during the race but we stayed in the moment. It’s truly ecstatic!”

Marieke Keijser (b), Netherlands, bronze
“I have no memories of the race so that’s a good thing. I think we should be happy with this result. I don’t really care about the pressure from the outside, I just really wanted this for ourselves.”

Re-watch the race here

B-final

Silver medallists in the European Championships, Poland was a surprise to be in this b-final. They must have been the favourites and the crew of Weronika Deresz and Joanna Dorociak of Poland were the first to show. South Africa was in hot pursuit. South Africa then got into the lead with Poland slipping back. Canada now came flying and they had the lead coming into the final sprint. Canada and South Africa were neck-and-neck. Then Italy’s Valentina Rodini and Federica Cesarini came flying through. Italy had won.

Results: ITA, RSA, CAN, JPN, POL, AUS