This was the first time that these two crews had met at this regatta and it was Bellis and Ross that belted out of the start to take an early lead. Rating 41 through the body of the race the Australians remained in the lead, but only just over Josiane Lima and Michel Gomes Pessanha of Brazil with France chasing hard. Then coming into the final sprint Ukraine joined in the fight for the medals.

In a full on fight for the line, Bellis and Ross held off the field to defend their World Champion title with Bouge and Tardieu getting past the Brazilians to take silver. Lima and Gomes earned a well deserved bronze.

Results: AUS, FRA, BRA, UKR, NED, ISR

Gold – Ross, Kathryn (AUS)
It was a good race, nice and tight, with a few surprises.

Silver – SURNAME, First Name (FRA)
At the start they set off fast, they (Australia) were stronger than us.

Bronze – LIMA, Josiane (bow) (BRA)
It’s the first championship for Michel so we are really happy. During the race we could feel the determination and the rhythm. Sometimes the mental work is bigger than the technical one.