Courtesy: United States Rowing Association United States Rowing Association Caroline Lind '06 (second from right) is the first Princeton rower to win two Olympic gold medals.

CAROLINE LIND PROFILE l PRINCETON ROWING AT THE OLYMPICS

Caroline Lind '06 made history at Princeton while she was an undergraduate by stroking the 2006 varsity eight to NCAA gold. She made even more history Thursday morning by becoming the first Princeton rower to ever win multiple gold medals.

Lind, who stroked the 2006 NCAA champion varsity eight to gold, and the U.S.A. crew had been undefeated for six years and won the 2008 gold medal in Beijing. The boat was the clear favorite heading into the 7:30 a.m. final, though Team Canada showed its potential in nearly knocking off the U.S.A. in May.

Canada was stroked by 2006 NCAA champion Andréanne Morin, a three-time Olympian and Lind's former teammate, and had Lauren Wilkinson '11, a 2011 NCAA champion, in the 4-seat.

While Dauphiny watched from the Eton Dorney course, the U.S.A. broke out early and led at every split. The Americans led Canada by more than one second after 500, and by more than two seconds at the midway point. Canada charged late, but it would not be enough to catch the Red, White & Blue.

The U.S. won in 6:10.59. Canada was second in 6:12.06, followed by The Netherlands in 6:13.12.

“I think it’s a testament to the sheer determination and the heart of the women in the boat,” said Lind in a USRowing press release. “I think that’s what it comes down to, because I know that there are other women who are physically gifted and are amazing rowers, but the difference between everyone else and the American team is that we want it bad. We want it more, and I think that heart and togetherness – we do it as a unit, we’re stronger as a unit – is what makes us different.”