New Zealand's Emma Twigg
Emma Twigg of New Zealand races in the women's single sculls heat at the 2014 World Rowing Championships in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

By the first 500m marker Crow had inched in the lead and Twigg moved with her. The two scullers from the Southern Hemisphere then moved away from the rest of the field. Then Twigg put just a bit more power into her strokes and moved into the lead as the half way point came into view. Emma Twigg from the Hawkes Bay in New Zealand was heading for her first World Championship title at the senior level and she was not going to let anyone take it away from her. Meanwhile Duan was having a great race in the bronze medal spot. It looked like China had a new top single sculler.

In the close of the race Crow went to 37 stroke to try and catch Twigg. But Twigg, at 33 was just too good. She had done it. As the rain began to fall it was gold for New Zealand.

Results: NZL, AUS, CHN, IRL, AUT, RUS

Gold – TWIGG, Emma (NZA)
I felt confident but you never know what’s going to happen out there. I love racing Kim because you know it’s going to be a good boat race.

Silver – CROW, Kim (AUS)
I feel like I’ve stepped up this championship, I’ve learned what is good and what I have to work on.

Bronze – DUAN, Jingli (CHN)
In the first half I couldn’t row well so I left a big gap. It’s a pity.

B-final

Olympic Champion Mirka Knapkova of the Czech Republic had a disastrous semifinal which put her into this B-final. But she outclassed her competitors by racing at the head of the field.  Knapkova did not look like she was really sprinting the final as she rowed home ahead of a fierce finish sprint by Great Britain and the United States.

Results: CZE, GBR, USA, LTU, DEN, NED