Rower does her parents proud | Manawatu-Wanganui Sport | Surfing, Rugby, Soccer, Football, Cricket in Manawatu-Wanganui

Garth and Stephanie Scown were virtually climbing inside their television set as they watched their daughter Rebecca and rowing partner Juliet Haigh win gold by the barest of margins at the world championships in Slovenia on Thursday night.

The fiercely proud parents watched in awe from their home in Wanganui as the the pair beat pre-race favourites Great Britain by just eight hundredths of a second.

"I was virtually inside the television set pushing the boat," Garth Scown said yesterday.

"For them to get up in the last beat was simply amazing. Winning is the name of the game, second doesn't count. For some reason the smart money was on the British pair before the race and they had it won right up to the line - they must have been gutted.

"Rebecca texted me after the race saying they were match fit and then in a later email she said 'so we won, a little close, but we got through in the end.'

"After winning the world title last year at Lake Karapiro Juliet said to me she just loved rowing behind Rebecca because she gives her all and I guess it would have been the same on Thursday. Great to see them win back-to-back world titles," Scown said.

The email also talked of a nervous Rebecca watching a replay after the Herculian effort.

"She emailed that the television cameraman showed her a replay of the race on his camera and she said she was really nervous watching it. She also said they had struck gold twice - one for winning the race and another for having four days of competition left without having to compete themselves. It gave Rebecca and Juliet a chance to party up and celebrate the moment."

Scown said his wife Stephanie was "beside herself" after the victory and both had slept well on Thursday night.

"Normally I get about four hours sleep a night, but I got a good six hours after the win. We are so proud of Rebecca."