Many congratulations to Imogen Walsh who wins Gold at the World Rowing Championships in Bled, Slovenia
posted by Roy Sinclair - 3 Sep 2011, 9:56 p.m.
Steph Cullen, Imogen Walsh, Kathryn Twyman and Andrea Dennis qualified for the
lightweight women's quadruple scull final by winning their heat on Monday in
one of the Championships' tightest finishes.
Starting today's race in lane three they had China to their right and Italy to
their left. The British combination, coached by Ben Reed, were leading at
500m with Italy, China and the USA all close and pressing.
At halfway a roar went up as the commentator announced them still in the lead.
It was close, though, with Italy. In the third 500m the British moved out to
a much stronger advantage and China nudged ahead of Italy who were now
third.
China, not happy with second, now attacked the GB lead. They picked up the
pace but had left it too late. Victory to GB by a boat length. China second
and the USA third, just pipping Italy by a single hundredth of a second.
"That's the best race ever. You don't expect to lead out a World championships
final like that from the first stroke to the line. I was determined though
to take each stroke as it came because I knew that China had a sprint on them
and I wasn't going to take anything for granted. World Cbampion! It hasn't
sunk in yet", said Steph Cullen.
"Yes it felt good winning. It was good to be able to enjoy those last few
strokes", said Imogen Walsh. "It wasn't sure, though, until the last
100m".
Andrea Dennis said: "My plan is always to go as fast as we can from start
to finish so it was just a case of head down and go. We've been going
well and the whole squad is just so strong. We've been fighting amongst
ourselves to get into the boats and we really believed in our strength.
"I'm so thrilled. I've never dared to think about what it would
feel like to stand on the podium in first place and hear the national anthem.
I'm really looking forward to it."
Kathryn Twyman: "It is just fantastic. We wanted to improve our first
500m and I think we executed the plan. I loved it."
Inverness Rowing Club members are highly delighted to record that one of their
own has achieved such a fantastic and well deserved result. It was a superb
performance by a masterful crew. :D :D :D
Report - courtesy of British Rowing website - GB Rowing Team News