ROWING: Kim Crow and Brooke Pratley have put in a stellar performance on the water at Eton Dorney on Day 7 to bring home a silver medal. Great Britain’s Anna Watkins and Katherine Granger snatched gold ahead of the Aussies with Poland in third.

Crow and Pratley rowed the race of their lives, but an inspired British combination set the pace early in the hunt for Granger’s first gold after three Olympic silver medals.

The Aussie combination stuck to their guns and remained a good chance, tailing their opponents and maintaining pressure throughout the 2000m to claim the silver in front of an atmospheric crowd, but Granger and Watkins managed to extend their lead by a boat length in the back end of the race.

Thrilled with the result, Crow described the race as the “gutsiest” she had ever been a part of.

“It was fantastic. We had an amazing race, but those girls were just phenomenal,” Crow said.

“We pushed about seven different times in that race and they covered us every time so credit to them- we’ve got the upmost respect for those girls.”

With little time to let it all sink in, the incredible feat of securing a silver medal at the Olympic Games was a surreal one for Pratley.

“It feels amazing… We’ve just been talking since we got off the water and it hasn’t sunk in yet,” Pratley said.

“Just to get out in an Olympic final and do your best sounds pretty simple, but you do sometimes get in the way of yourself so it’s nice to really achieve what you set out to do.”

Crow will now put herself through the ultimate test of athleticism by turning around tomorrow to compete in the women’s single scull. Here she fairs a great chance in the medal stakes, after finishing second in her semi final and qualifying third fastest for the final. 

But today, Crow ensured her focus was purely on her effort with Pratley.

“I haven’t really thought about it (tomorrow’s race) to be honest, it’s a bit hard to think ahead any further than this,” she said.

“This is something that has really been special to me not only this season but for many seasons.

“Tomorrow is another day and this is it for now, “she said with a huge grin. 

Lucy Rowles at Eton Dorney
Olympics.com.au