Champion Greek rowing pair Christina Giazitzidou and Alexandra
Tsiavou are preparing to defend their World Champions in the Lightweight women’s double when the finals are held in New Zealand this weekend.

If there is a medal at the end of the final, it surely will be welcome. Even if it’s not always easy, we’re confident and that’s what you need to achieve good results.

Two-time European Champions since they paired up in 2009, the pair started the 2010 season by winning the Rowing World Cup event in Bled, but were beaten in Lucerne by the Australians, who they will find back in the final at Lake Karapiro in New Zealand.

For Tsiavou, 2010 was her fourth European title in a row, the two first ones being with her former partner Chrysi Biskitzi, who has since retired.

Giazitzidou and Tsiavou have an impressive number of medals between them at world rowing events; together they amount to more than 20 medals, including 15 gold.

Both started rowing at the age of 12, Giazitzidou in her hometown of Kastoria, just for fun. Tsiavou didn’t know anything about rowing before starting
in Igommenitsa.

Back then, her coach, Konstantinos Kitsatis, suggested to her
parents that she join the rowing team
that was just being put together in their town.

A professional fire-fighter, Tsiavou has adjusted her work schedule to allow for training.
She began to row internationally in 2001 at junior level. Giazitzidou appeared in 2006 at the Under 23 level.

Looking at their records, one would think there is a lot of pressure on their shoulders but Alexandra says: “Our medal at the World Rowing Championships last year doesn’t give us more pressure here.

“It’s actually still the same thing; we just want to do the best we can.

“If there is a medal at the end of the final, it surely will be welcome. Even if it’s not always easy, we’re confident and that’s what you need to achieve good results.”

Their coach, Apostolos Palaiopanos, sees the main reason for their success being their high-quality and hard training, but also the
fact that they learn from their mistakes by trying to understand why they happened.

The gold medal of last year didn’t come as a surprise to him: “This double scull is made up of two
good athletes.

“I was sure their association would be a success; they are very talented but also have the advantage of having no problem to keep their weight all year round”.

But not only is this lightweight womens’ double scull good, the Greek results are better than ever.

“It seemed for a long time, that Greek rowers were only good in lightweight events, as confirmed by the medal in the 2004 Olympic Games, but Greece now also shows improved results in open events.”

Tsiavou comments: “we only had good results in the lightweight events because the population in Greece is not that tall.

“But things are changing. Our training centre in Schinias, which we have used now for several years, is a very good place to train.
“Rowing in tough conditions
in Schinias helps us to row in
every condition.”

Palaiopanos confirms: “The weather conditions in Schinias are 80 per cent windy, but we also have other days and we row in every condition.

“I put the main reason of our improvements down to Gianni Postiglione who became the head coach five years ago. He changed our mentality by giving goals to everybody, from clubs which are very important in Greece, to coaches and athletes.

“He also gave us training plans which help us on the way to victory.”

Greece’s lightweight women’s double scull will be up against Germany, Australia, Great Britain, Canada and New Zealand in
New Zealand.

In the lightweight men’s four, Greece has qualified into the final.

The first semifinal for the men’s pair had the British and Kiwi crews side by side.

Hamish Bond and Eric Murray of New Zealand had a slow start but by half way they had the lead over Pete Reed and Andrew Triggs from Great Britain.

The Kiwis crossed the line in a comfortable first place. Great Britain will race the Kiwis again in
the final along with Italy and, from the second semifinal, Greece,
Germany and Serbia.