EDINBURGH'S Polly Swann, right, celebrates with partner Helen Glover after winning the final of the coxless pairs at the World Rowing Championships in Chungju, South Korea, writes Mike Haggerty.
This was a first world title for both - in fact a first World Championships appearance for Swann who lost out on the Olympics last year through injury. It also wraps up an unbeaten season for the duo, who came together at the start of the year when Glover's partner, Heather Stanning, resumed her army career following their London 2012 triumph, and was posted to Afghanistan.
In the final, the USA led for the first 500 metres, but normal service was resumed as Glover and Swann gradually built their lead, shaking off the USA by halfway and resisting the charges of Romania and New Zealand, who took silver and bronze. Glover said: "The USA put us under pressure and made us a bit worried, but we stayed focused. At 1000m, we looked at the Romanians and knew we had it under control. We just couldn't believe how good it felt. Crossing the finish line we were overjoyed."
Glaswegian Imogen Walsh, whose family base is in Inverness, just failed to make it on to the medal podium, finishing fourth in the lightweight double sculls along with partner Kathryn Twyman, behind winners Italy, USA and Germany. Inverness's Alan Sinclair finished fifth in a coxless fours final that was won by the Netherlands. Victoria Meyer-Laker from Aberdeenshire races along with partner Frances Houghton in today's final of the double sculls.
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