Monday, September 5, 2011

Katherine Grainger and Anna Watkins win World gold in Slovenia

Katherine Grainger and Anna Watkins win World gold in Slovenia

The defending double sculls champions led from start to finish with Australia in second and New Zealand third.

British men's pair Andy Hodge and Pete Reed were beaten into silver by reigning champions Hamish Bond and Eric Murray of New Zealand.

In the single sculls, Britain's Alan Campbell had to settle for bronze.

Grainger, a three-time Olympic silver medallist, and Watkins arrived in Slovenia as overwhelming favourites for gold having not been beaten since they became a pair in January 2010.

Earlier in the season, Watkins missed a World Cup regatta with a back injury, but the pair reunited in Lucerne in July to win one of four British golds.

Their performance was equally impressive in Bled, leading from the start and stretching their lead to 2.35 seconds at three-quarters distance before easing off in the final 500m.

"It was a fantastic race for us - really,cheap coach handbag really challenging," said Grainger, who won her sixth world title in nine years.

Watkins added: "It was a much tougher run into the World Championships this year.Breitling watches wholesale

"It was a huge challenge and we rose to it brilliantly, and it's absolutely the best preparation for [the London Olympics] next year."

There was more pain for Hodge and Reed who suffered their 14th consecutive defeat at the hands of Kiwis Bond and Murray.

The New Zealanders exploded out of the blocks, pulling out a lead of a length over Britain after 500m.

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