came to the attention of the GB Rowing Team in 2008 as part of the “Sporting Giants” programme. Under the coaching of Robin Williams they have become the best women’s crew in the world. Great Britain expects this duo to deliver another gold and, so long as they stay healthy, it’ll be a major surprise if they don’t.

Italy

Alessandra Patelli 24 & Sara Bertolasi 28

Olympic record

Patelli: Missed qualifying for London

Bertolasi: 10th W2- London

World Championship record

Patelli: 5th W4- 2011, 11th W2X 2013, 12th W4X 2014, 14th W2- 2015

Bertolasi: 4th W4- 2008, 7th W2- 2011, 12th W4X 2014, 14th W2- 2015

2016 record

Patelli: 2nd W2- Varese World Cup, 3rd W2- Final Olympic Qualifying Regatta

Alessandra Patelli started her senior international career in 2011 aged 18 finishing 14th in the W2X at the MunichWorld Cup. Later that year she raced at the u23 world Championships winning silver in the quad. She continued in the W4X throughout 2012 but missed out on qualifying for London. Following a year in the W2X she returned to the quad in 2014 finishing 12th of the 12 entries. In 2015 she formed a pair with Gaia Palma for the World Cup series but at the World Championships she raced with Sara Bertolasi. Bertolasi is one of the most experienced members of the Italian women’s sweep squad. She made her debut in 2008 taking 4th place in the W4- at the World Championships in her very first international regatta. In 2011 she switched to the W2- with Claudia Wurzel finishing 7th at the World Championships and qualifying