Team GB Women’s double through to final
The only GB race of the fourth day of the Olympic Rowing Regatta saw Becky Wilde and Mathilda Hodgkins Byrne book their place in Final A of the Women’s double sculls
Photo credit: Steve McArthur / Row360
They led the race throughout before being pipped on the line by Romania, but had done enough to become Olympic finalists.
Becky, speaking to the media at only her third international event said: “When I think about it, it’s unbelievable. If you’d told me I would’ve made the Olympic final having gone through final qualifying (the Final Olympic Qualification Regatta in May) and making my debut this year, I would never have believed you. It’s always a dream, but to have done it is still sinking in.”
On the results coming in from the rest of Team GB’s rowers, she said: “It helps knowing the team is in such a good position. We’ve watched the results all week and we’ve seen how strong all the crews have looked. Watching the Women’s eight race yesterday and seeing how strong they were in the final 500m we were like – we’ve done the same training as them, we can do that.”
Mathilda commented: “My aim was to follow Becky and showcase what we can do – I think from that we’ve shown what we’re capable of and I’m excited to see what we can do in the final.
“I didn’t consider Freddy (her two year old son) during the race! I just needed to stay in time with Becky but I’m looking forward to seeing him later. In a small boat, having a bigger support network of family and friends around is important, because otherwise there’s a lot of pressure for both of us to keep each other going. I’m not saying we can’t do that, but there’s only one person to turn to. So having those friends and family just relieves pressure from each other.”
The action hots up even further tomorrow (Wednesday, 31 July) with five GB crews racing in three semi finals and then the first two medal finals of the Olympic Rowing Regatta!
