Blacks with EC gold after controversial selection: – Sails up as one of the favorites in the Olympics

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The Norwegian duo beat two nations in Lithuania and Romania who have been among the best nations in recent years, and have signed up in the favorite tier before the Olympics in Paris.

The Norwegians went out in the lead together with Lithuania and had a small gap to the other competitors after 1000 metres. Eventually they gained a lead of half a boat’s length and stayed away all the way to the finish line.

Lithuania with Donata Karaliene and Dovile Rimkute took silver and Romania with Ancuta Bodnar and Simona Radis took bronze.

NRK’s ​​commentators were very impressed by the fresh Norwegian duo.

– This is historic what is happening here. They are sailing up as one of the favorites in the Olympics, said NRK’s ​​commentator Pål Thomassen.

At the Olympics, however, the competition becomes tougher when nations such as the USA, New Zealand and Australia also compete.

– We have not experienced this before, that a Norwegian double sculler for women is at the very top of the world.

– It was brilliant, absolutely incredible. I’m sitting with a lump in my throat, we’ve been waiting for this for 20 years, said expert commentator Lars Bjønness.

National team coach Fredrik Bekken was also excited about the gold medal.

– What they are delivering here today is above Olympic medal class. It’s all right there, says an enthusiastic national team coach Fredrik Bekken to NTB.

– It is completely incredible. They are so strong and have trained so well. In a way it’s surprising, but I know what they’ve done from training. So it’s no wonder they’re up there, then, he says further.

Ahead of the championship, there has been a lot of talk about which two ladies will represent Norway in double sculls.

For two years, Helseth has had Jenny Rørvik as her partner in the double sculls class, while Kavlie has competed in single sculls.

It was Rørvik and Helseth who qualified the double sculls for the Olympics in Paris, but only the boat is qualified. The Rowing Association has not selected the athletes yet.

All three have done well earlier this year in their classes. Helsteh and Rørvik came second in the World Cup in Varese earlier this year, while Kavlie took 3rd place.

Before the EC, it was decided that Helseth and Kavlie would row together in double sculls, while Rørvik was sent home.