"As always, the goal will be to win, but here we believe in it more than ever," delivers Laura Tarantola, half of the French lightweight double scull.

“Between the Olympics and the World Cup stage in Lucerne, we have been second twice and close to winning, recalls the 28-year-old Haut-Savoyarde. Before we were fighting for podiums now for victory ."

For their first regatta in their lightweight category a month ago in Switzerland on the Rotsee, the duo ranked second after a mano a mano with the British crew, notably ahead of the Italian Olympic champions, third.

"It was a good recovery and promising for the future", hopes Claire Bové.

In Munich, they had to go through a repechage to reach the final where only two boats came directly from the qualifications.

Their dazzling time on Saturday, ten seconds faster than any other crew, confirmed that they would be in contention for the continental title on Sunday.

This first victory in a major championship hoped for by the duo would have an echo amplified by the multi-sport dimension of these European Championships.

"I think there will be more impact if something happens now than at the Worlds (from September 18 to 25 in the Czech Republic, editor's note)", confirms Claire Bové.

"And in our category, the European level is very, very high, supports his friend. In the final at the Games, there were almost only Europeans (five out of six boats, editor's note)."

In terms of media coverage, the duo is ready after the post-Olympic whirlwind.

"It strengthens the ties enormously. We went from teammates to really friends during this period", testifies Claire Bové.

"Full Face"

"We do a somewhat confidential sport and overnight, we took a lot of face but in the good sense of the word", describes his now friend.

His partner, for example, signed an unexpected contract with the jeweler Mauboussin.

The apprentice muse now comes across posters bearing her likeness on bus shelters.

"You have to know how to surf the media wave to knock on the right doors and make them open", explains the rower from Yvelin.

"It's not rushing to offer us contracts either", relativizes Laura Tarantola, in partnership with the SNCF since 2019. "We don't row for that but it allows us to be a little more independent and to gradually begin to live from our passion."

Above all, the lightweight double scull is a very competitive category where the differences are tiny.

A second separated the gold medalists from the fifth in Tokyo, after nearly seven minutes of effort.

"Our best opponents are all completely professional, recalls Laura Tarantola, two years from Paris-2024. They have no other things to manage next."

© 2022 AFP