Rio 2016 Olympics - It hasn't been a good day for Hamish Bond's parents' blood pressure.
Bond and his rowing partner Eric Murray came through to take Olympic gold in the men's pair this morning - repeating their feat in London four years ago.
But there was no time for Shirley and Graeme Bond to relax and enjoy their son's victory.
Straight after the race, another son, Alistair, was on the water in the men's lightweight sculls.
The parents of New Zealand rowers Hamish and Alistair Bond, Graeme and Shirley Bond Photo: RNZ / Gael Woods
It was a nervous time, Graeme Bond said.
"The blood pressure increases - I probably should have taken a double dose [of medication] this morning."
It was hard to know what to feel, Mrs Bond said.
"You sort of have this feeling that it's wonderful for Hamish, and then you sit for an hour and keep your fingers crossed. It's really highs and lows."
While the lightweight sculls crew, of Bond, James Lassche, Peter Taylor and James Hunter, ultimately ended up in fifth place, making an A final at the Olympics was a feat in itself, she said.
She and her husband were "terribly proud".
Rowers Hamish Bond, left, and Eric Murray with their gold medals after winning the Olympic men's pair final. Photo: AFP
Although Hamish Bond and Murray have had an outstanding career, winning 69 races in a row, Bond's parents did not always assume he would always win.
"You always worry a little bit because one day things might go wrong," Mrs Bond said.
Hamish Bond's wife Lizzie was on hand to watch her husband triumph but said she did not take a win for granted either.
"I'm always worried, I'm really bad at watching," she said.
"I know that they are expected to win and do well, but I always think nothing's certain and until they cross that line in first place, I don't really relax."
The road to Rio had not been easy, she said.
"The last 12 months and four years have been quite different to the four years before London."
This morning's win was "a huge relief".
