Netherlands wear gold to take gold

BEIJING (Reuters) - Kirsten van der Kolk and Marit van Eupen of the Netherlands recovered from a slow start to win the women's Olympic lightweight double scull on Sunday, wearing their lucky gold shoes.

Germany fired off the start and led for the first half before fading as the Dutch moved through the field.

The Dutch, who wear gold shoes attached to the base of their boat, were roared on by a huge crowd of orange-clad fans. Two later broke through security to swim out to congratulate them.

Grinning with relief, the Dutch pair told reporters they had been surprised to win so easily.

"Right at the start Kirsten reminded me they were in the boat," said van Eupen of the shoes. "It was exactly what we wanted, exactly what we planned. We just didn't plan it would be this easy."

Van der Kolk said they had done exactly what was required.

"We know we are the best, and if you are the best, then it will happen," she told reporters. "We did what we planned to do after a lot of years training."

Finland's Sanna Sten and Minna Nieminen took silver in a fast finish while Canada's Melanie Kok and Tracy Cameron took bronze in a photo finish over Germany.

China, who had been tipped for a medal, finished behind the main field.

(Additional reporting by Doug Hamilton; Editing by Alex Richardson)