British women target first rowing gold

Britain's Helen Glover (L) and Heather Stanning compete in the women's pair heat 1 during the Olympic Games, at Eton Dorney Rowing Centre, west of London, on July 28, 2012. If they win gold on Wednesday, they will become the first British women rowers to win an Olympic title.

The Eton Dorney Rowing Centre is shown during the London 2012 Olympic Games, on July 30, 2012. Sir Steve Redgrave, Britain's five-time Olympic rowing champion, has set a target for the host nation of four gold medals -- double their take from Beijing four years ago.

Great Britain's Anna Watkins (L) and Katherine Grainger celebrate after winning their women's double sculls heat of the rowing event during the London 2012 Olympic Games, at Eton Dorney Rowing Centre in Eton, west of London, on July 30, 2012. The pair set a new Olympic record by nearly five seconds to book their place in the final on Monday and are undefeated since teaming up in 2010.

AFP - Four days of Olympic rowing finals action start on Wednesday with Britain's Heather Stanning and Helen Glover hoping to kick off a home gold rush in the women's pair.

It is one of 13 gold rowing medals on offer, with Britain's expectations distinctly buoyant.

Sir Steve Redgrave, Britain's five-time Olympic rowing champion, has set a target for the host nation of four gold medals -- double their take from Beijing four years ago.

Stanning and Glover will start favourites, having won all three World Cup races this year and setting a new Olympic record in their heat.

Now Stanning, a captain in Britain's Royal Navy, believes home advantage will weigh heavily in their favour.

"We are loving the support and the chants of 'GB'. You can never underestimate home advantage," she commented.

Reflecting on the heat win, Stanning added: "It was a solid performance and we felt quite controlled in our boat. That was only a heat race for us. We have a final to come and that is where we will pull out all the stops."

Should they succeed they would become the first British women rowers to win an Olympic title.

Wednesday's two other finals are the men's eight, where British rower Greg Searle is seeking to add to the coxed pair gold he won in Barcelona 20 years ago, and the women's quadruple sculls.

Thursday's double bill comprises the men's double sculls and lightweight men's four.

A further four titles are up for grabs on Friday -- men's single sculls, quadruple sculls and pairs, and women's double sculls where Britain's Katherine Grainger and Anna Watkins will be hard to beat.

The pair set a new Olympic record by nearly five seconds to book their place in the final on Monday and are undefeated since teaming up in 2010.

Grainger, a three-time Olympic silver medallist, believes an elusive first gold is now within her grasp, especially with the advantage of home backing.

"We're very lucky to have this incredible support from around the country," said the 36-year-old. "It lifts you like nothing else.

"The plan for the next four days is feet up... not! We've got an adrenalin high now and we're both aware we can enjoy it for the next few hours, but we need to bring it back down.

"We'll head back to training and a dull lifestyle to get everything in place for Friday."

Redgrave, commenting on the BBC, said: "Kath Grainger and Anna Watkins seem so relaxed. They are ready for this. That was the best I have ever seen them scull. They are favourites for this and they are looking a class above everybody else."

The rowing competition ends on Saturday with four more finals -- the women's sculls and lightweight double sculls and the mens' lightweight double sculls and four.

Source:France24