Their familiarity with the local area provided even better conditions for the Brazilians to win the men's lightweight double sculls event. Thiago and Sobral never felt threatened. The duo had already demonstrated some of the strength of Brazilian rowing during the South American Games in September 2006 in Mar del Plata, Argentina, winning the gold medal.

Another red-and-black who shone at Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas this Sunday was Déborah Amorim, also a member of the Brazilian rowing team. The rower finished second in the women's lightweight single sculls.

The International Rowing Challenge also featured teams from Uruguay, Peru, Venezuela, and Paraguay. Brazil emerged victorious in all three events, held on the new lanes at Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon.