Confidence boosts Jennerich and Obee to Olympic silver medal finish
On Friday, Canada’s Lindsay Jennerich and Patricia Obee won silver in the lightweight women’s double sculls at Rio 2016.
The Canadian rowing team overcame tough moments at the beginning of the race to win Canada’s eighth medal and second silver in Brazil.
What were they thinking as they pushed into medal contention?
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Canadian rowers Lindsay Jennerich and Patricia Obee, right, celebrate after winning a silver medal in the women’s lightweight double sculls at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Friday, Aug. 12, 2016. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn
“Well, we’re in fourth, and I thought we’re getting a medal for sure. Our last 250 is so strong that I knew we were going to go through one (crew) at least,” said Obee.
“I could sense China and I could sense South Africa, we’ve rowed through South Africa in the last half a lot. The Chinese are pretty good sprinters and once we were through them I thought, ‘I think we’re looking at silver.'”
PHOTOS: Jennerich and Obee win silver
Team Canada’s Patricia Obee and Lindsay Jennerich win silver during the women’s double sculls final at Lagoa Rowing Stadium, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Friday August 12, 2016. COC Photo/David Jackson
For Jennerich, the second place finish was even more impressive based on how first-place Netherlands rowed to win gold.
“It made me feel pretty good about getting a silver medal. It left us just finishing our last drops of gas. It felt like sprinting from the 1000. I just felt like a machine, and Obee felt like a machine.”
After finishing seventh at London 2012, the moment now is for celebration.
“We were just us out there – and us is the second best boat in the world today,” said Obee.
