Gold rush for sculls duo
Sophie Hosking and Katherine Copeland took a superb gold in the lightweight women's double sculls.
Last Updated: 04/08/12 1:50pm
Sophie Hosking and Katherine Copeland created history by winning Great Britain's first ever gold in the lightweight women's double sculls.
The duo, who were only paired together earlier this year, came through superbly in the second half of the race to win comfortably at Eton Dorney.
Their success was Britain's 10th gold of the Games and came in the very next race after the quartet of Andrew Triggs Hodge, Pete Reed, Tom James and Alex Gregory had triumphed for the hosts in the coxless fours.
It was also a remarkable triumph considering their short time together in the boat, while Copeland almost quit rowing two years ago because she wanted to remain based in the north east.
They did claim a bronze during the 2012 World Cup series in Belgrade before finishing outside the medals in both Lucerne and Munich.
Copeland said: "I can't believe this is real, that we just won.
"We just won the Olympics!
"I've been trying all week not to think about it because it's made me cry every time.
"So I've been trying to just not think about it. Then when we were on the last 50... I can't believe that just happened."
China took the silver medal with Greece, who had set the pace over the first 1,000 metres, completing the podium in third place.
Britain's haul of four gold medals, two silvers and three bronze confirms 2012 as their most successful Olympic regatta ever, surpassing the eight medals, including four golds, won in 1908, also at London.
