Wednesday, October 25th.- In another thrilling showdown, the United States claimed the gold medal in rowing, leaving the silver for Chile in the female's light weight double sculls, a race held at Laguna Grande in San Pedro de La Paz, located in the Biobío Region, 450 kilometers south of Santiago. 

Although Melita and Antonia Abraham started in the lead, Verónica Nicacio and Madeleine Focht prevailed in the second half of the 2,000-meter course to take the top spot at the beginning of the sixth day of the Pan American Games Santiago 2023. 

In the end, the Americans secured the crown with a time of 7:02.11, with a lead of one second and 63 hundredths over the Chilean duo. Canada closed the podium with Alizée and Caroline de Paiva, 11.03 seconds behind the winners. 

In a historic performance at the Pan American level, Chileans Melita and Antonia Abraham added another medal to their collection, having previously won gold in the coxless four, silver in the quadruple sculls, and bronze in the eight with coxswain. 

They will have another opportunity to claim another medal when they compete in the Mixed 8+ event at 11:40 a.m., this Wednesday, alongside their brothers Alfredo and Ignacio, and rowers Óscar Vásquez, Francisco Lapostol, Magdalena Nannig, Victoria Hostetter, and coxswain Isidora Soto. 

Written by Nicolás Olea; translated by Josefina Zamorano / Santiago 2023 vía Photosport
Ph: Heuler Andrey / Santiago 2023 vía Photosport