Right from the start Edward took control of the race and with 500m down Edward had broken away from the rest of the field.

Austria gave it a good go to try and keep up with Edward, but in the second half completely ran out of steam. Then, from the very back of the field Aikaterini Nikolaidou of Greece One decided to have the closing sprint of her life. Nikolaidou was over six seconds down on Edward, but inched closer with every stroke. Edward, however, had this race in her control. Nikolaidou, though, earned a silver with her gutsy finish. Marie-Anne Frenken of the Netherlands came through in third.

Results: NZL, GRE1, NED1, GER2, NED2, AUT1

Gold – EDWARD, Julia (NZL)

It has been a good change. I am enjoying being in the single. The single is a really good boat to get you stronger mentally and physically. I am to row the double with Sophie Mackenzie, we have rowed together before and it is going well. We will see what happens in Amsterdam.

Silver – NIKOLAIDOU, Aikaterini (GRE1)

Really I didn’t expect to take a medal because in the last two weeks I have been ill. I only decided to come at the last minute. I really cannot express my happiness for this medal. I am only 22, I have the U23 Championships in two weeks, then I’ll be in Amsterdam.

Bronze – FRENKEN, Marie-Anne (NED1)

Ideally, I would have liked to place first or second but in the last 500 the others sprinted past me. Right now I am looking forward to three days off from training.