Heather Stanning admitted it was fantastic to be back after she and fellow Olympic women’s pair champion Helen Glover marked their international return together with gold at the World Rowing Cup in Aiguebelette.
This weekend’s competition in France marked the first time the duo had been reunited on the international stage since winning Britain’s first medal at London 2012.
But back together once again, Glover and Stanning acted like they had never been apart, stamping their trademark domination on Sunday’s final from the outset to open up a lead at halfway.
It would be an advantage they would not relinquish despite a late challenge from the Americans, crossing the line to win in 7:02.60.
"It feels fantastic to be back. I knew it was in us, we just had to get out there and do it", she said.
Glover meanwhile believes the duo’s bond was stronger than ever despite the time apart over the last two years.
"I think we have an air of confidence and we are a more mature pair after such a hard year for Heather in combat and a year in which in rowing I had to take more of the reins.”
Their success was one of four golds won by the team on Sunday with the men’s four of Andrew Triggs Hodge and Alex Gregory – member’s of the 2012 gold winning men’s four – and Moe Shihi and George Nash winning comfortably.
While the men’s quadruple scull of Graeme Thomas, Sam Townsend, Charles Cousins and Peter Lambert came from behind to beat the early-leading Germans.
And there was a Britain one-two in the lightweight women’s double scull with Olympic champion Kat Copeland and Imogen Walsh taking gold ahead of Charlotte Taylor and Ellie Piggott.
Also grabbing silver was Ruth Walczak in the lightweight women’s single scull while the women’s eight took bronze.
There were also bronzes for the lightweight men's four and the new-look men's pair of Matt Gotrel and Paul Bennett.
© Sportsbeat 2014