The GB mixed Coxed Four won their heat in style earlier today to secure a place in Sunday’s Rowing medal final at Eton Dorney.
Only the winners of today’s heats progressed direct to the finals and the Four won convincingly to the delight of a big crowd under sunny skies in windy conditions at the London 2012 Paralympic rowing venue.
The mixed Coxed Four finished by a clear margin from the USA in second and Canada in third.
“I’m pleased with the race, we had a job to do and we executed it,” said Naomi Riches, a five-times world champion from Harrow and the only survivor from the Beijing Four which won bronze.
“The conditions were tricky but we train at Caversham (not far from the Paralympic venue) so we are fairly used to them and just tried to relax. The crowd were amazing but we have to stay in our bubble and listen to Lily (cox Lily van den Broecke).”
GB’s main rivals Germany also qualified direct for the final winning the first heat of the mixed coxed fours.
Pam Relph, in the bow seat of the GB four, said: “When we raced them at the Munich World Cup we always knew they were going to push us but we just have to concentrate on our own boat. We’re only concerned with what we can control.
“It’s Paralympic year, everybody is going to step up,” added the 22 year old who followed her sister Monica, a world Under 23 rowing medallist, into the GB rowing programme in 2010 after arthritis caused her to leave an army scholarship.
Sportsister
The Women’s Sports Magazine
