Olympics: Rower Bebington qualifies for final
The 25-year-old, who landed World Championship bronze in Munich, combined with Scotland's Elise Laverick to see off the competitive German boat in the latter stages of the race.
Trailing in the final 500m – Bebington and Laverick combined to great effect – as they reeled in a tiring German boat, winning in a time of 6.54.92 – just a second ahead of the Germans.
It was a case of second time lucky for the pair after they finished third – behind China and the Czech Republic – in their first race on Saturday, which forced them to take the water again today.
But after taking their opportunity in the second repechage race, Bebington admitted the British pairing will need to raise their performance yet again this weekend if they are to return to Britain with medals.
"We can focus on the real job now that we have got that one out of the way," said Bebington.
"We had a strong finish. We couldn't do our thing in the last race and we can start thinking about the medals now.
"After the last race I was thinking 'I'm never going to race again', then I thought that just to make the final would be enough. But in the race we were doing really well and we have the confidence now to really go for it in the final.
"This is a big confidence builder and we can really think about how to get better in the final.
"I thought the race was pretty important, but Saturday is going to be something else."
Bebington warned the British public and media alike not to get carried away just yet, highlighting the strength in depth the duo will face in Saturday's final in their quest for a podium finish.
China and New Zealand, who are Olympic title holders, remain favourites to battle it out for the gold medal, while the Czech Republic will also be a force to contend with, according to Bebington.
"There are three strong crews who will be racing on Saturday," said Bebington.
"The Chinese, the Kiwis and the Czechs will be there or thereabouts.
"We will have to take them down one at a time.
"We are going to have to raise our game again to get past just one of them.
"But we have beaten the Czech Republic already this season, so that gives us confidence going into the final.
"I know we have the ability and self-confidence to challenge for a medal, but now it's up to us to just put the whole thing together."
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POWERING HOME: Anna Bebington, front, and Elise Laverick booked their place in Saturday's double sculls final with an impressive victory today.
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