Stunning gold for Lossie’s superstar sets her up for Rio

Still out in front - Lossiemouth's Heather Stanning won gold.
Still out in front – Lossiemouth’s Heather Stanning won gold.

ANOTHER WORLD TITLE won by Moray’s rowing star Heather Stanning bodes well for a return to the podium at the Olympic Games next year.

Heather and regular pairs rowing partner Helen Glover were the outstanding success story from a record five medals won by Scottish athletes at the World Championships.

It is the second time the pair have claimed gold at the championships – a victory that was never really in any doubt as they charged to a clear lead early in their race.

By the halfway mark they had a two-length advantage – and easily held off a late challenge from their New Zealand rivals to clinch gold.

Heather described the latest success as simply “brilliant” and the best possible preparation for the Olympics in 2016.

She said: “That was really enjoyable and exactly what we wanted to execute – it was really brilliant but it is exciting to know there is more to come next year.”

It was not quite the same success story for Scotland’s other Olympic 2012 gold medallist Katherine Granger from Aberdeen, who could only finish in sixth place in the double-skulls final on Sunday alongside partner Victory Meyer-Laker.