New Zealand held them off. No one else could.

LIGHTWEIGHT MEN’S DOUBLE SCULLS (LM2x)

Anything can happen at the Olympics. Canada knows that. New Zealand knew this. Storm Uru and Peter Taylor of New Zealand were aiming for the A Final.

Today Uru and Taylor made the best of their first Olympics and got out to an early lead in this B Final. Germany and Australia followed the New Zealanders out with Uru and Taylor settling into a strong 35 stroke rate pace. By the half-way point Uru, 23, and Taylor, 24, had nearly got a full boat length lead over Australia and Germany. The New Zealanders were looking comfortable in their position.

The final sprint was coming into view. The crowd could be heard. Portugal’s Pedro Fraga and Nuno Mendes were unleashing the sprint that has been serving them well. From the back of the field, from their outside lane Fraga and Mendes charged. The Portuguese rating went to 43. New Zealand held them off. No one else could.

Noticia FISA