RIO DE JANEIRO, BRASIL: Are Strandli and Kristoffer Brun went directly to the Olympic semifinals in lightweight double rowing.
The Norwegian medal hopes actually had planned to be rowed on Sunday but the competition was canceled due to high winds and waves. Under better conditions on Monday afternoon Strandli and Brun won heat the US team by being 1.75 seconds ahead of the them and went straight to the semifinals.
The Norwegian boat had a solid opening and led by almost two seconds down to the United States at the first measurement after 500 meters. The American boat ran into some tenths and gave Strandli and Brun battle for victory but the Norwegian team kept the rhythm throughout the race and won.
Strandli and Brun have been on the podium in all the finals they have participated in the past three years. In London Olympics four years ago they were knocked out in the semifinals and ended in ninth place.
Source: NTB scanpix / Norway Today