 The GB crew pulled away from their opponents to record a famous win |
Britain's adaptive four conquered the windy conditions and their rivals to claim gold at the World Rowing Championships in Japan on Sunday. Katie-George Dunlevy, Naomi Riches, Alistair McLean, Alan Crowther and cox Loretta Williams powered to victory in a time of 8 minutes 12.07 seconds.
Adaptive sculler Rob Holliday missed out on a medal in his final.
Considered a strong medal contender before the championships began, he finished in fifth place.
The mixed adaptive four were racing for the first time over 2,000m at this level and benefitted from a tough winter training schedule.
From the 1,000m mark they gradually shook off the challenge of Portugal, the early leaders.
"We knew Portugal would go out strongly but we just kept our cool, admitted Crowther and Dunlevy after the win.
Naomi Riches was particularly emotional following an accident last autumn where she was knockd down by a car and seriously injured.
"In October I didn't know whether I was going to live or die so this win means so much," she said.
MMIX
E-mail this to a friend 
Printable version 