Olympics rowing: Glover & Stanning win gold for Britain

Great Britain claimed their first gold medal of the London 2012 Olympics as rowers Helen Glover and Heather Stanning triumphed in the women's pair. 

The world silver medallists clocked a time of 7:27.13, leading from the start, to also become the first British female rowers to win an Olympic title.

The medal ended Britain's five-day wait for a first gold medal. 

Bradley Wiggins is hoping to secure Britain's second gold in the cycling time trial, which begins at 14:15.
Australia claimed silver and New Zealand the bronze in front of a capacity crowd at Eton Dorney.

Stanning said: "I want to collapse I'm so overjoyed. I'm probably talking rubbish now. We've got out ahead throughout the season and we wanted to do that today, and not give anything back. Helen was telling me to keep on going. Thanks for all the support in Afghanistan, I'm so proud to be associated with you."

Glover said: "I don't even remember smiling as I never ever thought we've got it. If I can do it, take the chance, in not just rowing, but anything."

Glover, who couldn't contain a smile in the final 250m, added: "I don't even remember smiling as I never ever thought we've got it. If I can do it, take the chance, in not just rowing, but anything."

Stanning, 27 and Glover, 26 were pipped for gold by New Zealand at last year's World Championships, but have since remained unbeaten, taking gold in all three World Cups this season. 

They continued that form by setting an Olympic best in the first heat of the regatta on Saturday to confirm their place in the final.l.

The duo, who only formed as a pair two years ago, looked calm as they lined up on the start line at an overcast Eton Dorney, and got their race off perfectly with a heavy acceleration out of the blocks.

By 500m, they were almost a length clear, looking settled and focused as they have done throughout the regatta.

The New Zealanders and Australian were pushing hard, but they could do nothing about Glover and Stanning's relentless pace, whose stroke rate was up at 36 per minute, to put clear water between themselves and the field.

As they entered the final 250m, the packed grandstands either side of the lake erupted, fans taking to their feet as they cruised across the line to take a sensational victory, a length clear of the chasing field.

bbc