Rio Olympics: Katherine Grainger on course to be Britain’s most decorated female Olympian after reaching double sculls final with Vicky Thornley

KATHERINE GRAINGER is still on course to become Britain’s most decorated female Olympian after booking her place in the  double sculls final.

Defending champ Grainger and partner Vicky Thornley finished second behind France in their semi-final at the Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas in the heart of Rio.

They  clocked 6min 52.47sec, the fourth fastest time overall, to qualify for tomorrow’s final.

Grainger, who won gold at London 2012 with Anna Watkins after taking silver at the three previous Games, came out of retirement in 2014 in a bid to appear at a FIFTH straight Olympics and defend her  title at the age of 40.

Thornley,  one of SunSport’s 12 ChaRIOts of Fire we are backing in Brazil, was put in the boat with Grainger with the aim of replicating London 2012 glory.

But after the duo failed to get on the podium at the European Championships, the  decision to initially disband their partnership left the pair  in danger of not going to Rio.

Grainger, who is tied on four Olympic medals with swimmer Rebecca Adlington, said: “It’s been a very tough ride for both me and Vicky, right now it’s about getting the best  out of  us.

“Winning a medal is always the most thrilling, exciting, wonderful thing you can do at an Olympic Games.

“We said from the beginning that it’s such a competitive event. I know that’s the case at every  Games  but there are so many crews in the semi- finals today who have medalled in the last two years.

“The world champions and the world-record holders have not made the final. But as we’ve said from the beginning, almost anybody can take a  medal.

“We didn’t do as well as we could, especially in the middle of the race. But  the nice thing about the final is  there’s nothing to lose and everything to gain.

“I think we’ll row better for it. That’s  the nice thing about having a bit of experience.

“Of course the nerves will be there, my heart will be pounding as soon as my alarm goes in the  morning.

“But once you race a lot internationally, you know that’s coming and you want it to be there.

“It’s about containing that and thinking very clearly and calmly under pressure — but bringing out the best in us.”

Thornley, 28, finished fifth in the women’s eight at her debut Olympics in London, just three years after taking up the sport when her mum spotted an advert  for the Sporting Giants programme to recruit rookie rowers.

And Thornley said:  “We’ve got to bring  our best race on  and be as fast as we can. Semi-finals are high pressure but in the final there is a bit more freedom, its about how fast you can go, which is exciting.

“The nerves, though, will be no less.”

But there was heartache for defending champion Katherine   Copeland in the lightweight women’s pair, along with new partner Charlotte Taylor.

Copeland — who won in  London with Sophie Hosking — and Taylor could only finish third in the repechage, missing out on the chance to defend her title.