Sitting in the stroke seat Edward had their boat rating at 38 strikes per minute into a headwind for the 2000m. They were never headed, but what was impressive was the way they maintained their high tempo, very difficult in the conditions.
Less than a second up at halfway and looking a little vulnerable to the lower rating crews behind them, they nevertheless powered on and moved to a half-length lead. They pushed again inside the final quarter and came home a third of a length ahead for an impressive win.
New Zealand won three gold and three silver medals at the regatta in Munich, the final test before the London Olympics.
Eric Murray and Hamish Bond picked up gold in the men's pair and Peter Taylor and Storm Uru in the lightweight men's double sculls. Joseph Sullivan and Nathan Cohen won silver in the men's double sculls, Emma Twigg won silver in the women's single sculls and Rebecca Scown and Juliette Haigh won silver in the women's pair.
Sue Edward said the family had already booked their tickets to watch Julia compete at the Olympics and if all goes to plan and Julia makes the A final on August 4, it will coincide with Sue's birthday.
"I've already told Julia the only thing I want for my birthday is gold."
Sue said Julia and Ayling's form leading up to the Olympics has been fantastic.
"They are the dark horses. We always knew they had something special. When they first started rowing together they clicked.
"Once they get out in front Julia won't let anyone overtake them. She'd die first before she let that happen."
Sue talked to Julia via Skype yesterday morning and said the squad were in high spirits after the Munich regatta. "They now have confidence in themselves they were keen to prove to everyone that the world cup regatta in Lucerne was no fluke."
The pair announced their arrival on the world scene in style by recording the world's fastest time in the heats before claiming the silver medal in the final.
They still hold the world record time for the women's lightweight sculls which is 6:49.43.
However, Sue said the pair weren't taking anything lightly when it came to the Olympics.
"The Greek [rowers] weren't at this regatta, they have been the ones who have won in the last couple of years. But at the Olympics everyone will be there and everyone wants to win. So they know they will have to work hard."
The squad now travel to Belgium for a camp before the Olympics which start on July 27.
Results: Lightweight women's sculls; New Zealand 7:22.88, 1; Denmark 7:24.31, 2; Germany 7:24.46, 3; Great Britain 7:25.30, 4; Netherlands 7:30.89, 5; Great Britain 7:32.23, 6.
