Women's rowing pair final: Team GB win first gold - in pictures

There's plenty of Team GB fans filled with anticipation packing the stands Photograph: Armando Franca/AP

Heather Stanning and Helen Glover go out fast alongside the German boat and are clear by the 500m mark Photograph: Kai Pfaffenbach/Reuters

Graceful, settled and focused, they stretch their lead Photograph: Natacha Pisarenko/AP

Members of 32nd Regiment Royal Artillery cheer on Stanning, who is a captain in the Royal Artillery Photograph: Kate Knowles/PA

The pair were three and a half seconds and three quarters of a length clear at the halfway mark. By 1500m, they were five seconds clear Photograph: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

They dominated the race from start to finish and sealed victory in 7min 27.13sec Photograph: Matthew Childs/Action Images

Not only has their stunning performance given Britain their first gold of the Games ... Photograph: Eric Feferberg/AP

… but the pair have made British sporting history as the first female rowing gold medal winners Photograph: Darren Whiteside/Reuters

A congratulatory hug between the pair after they come ashore ... Photograph: Stephen Pond/PA

… before a wave to the crowd who played their part in the victory by roaring the pair on as they ploughed along the lake Photograph: Stephen Pond/PA

Glover is overcome by emotion as the pair stand on the podium Photograph: Stephen Pond/PA

The pair enjoy the moment after receiving their medals Photograph: Stephen Pond/PA