Having tried Jessica Fox's gold medal on for size, Australian rower Tara Rigney moved a step closer to having one of her own with a dominant quarter-final win in the women's single sculls.
But there was disappointment for Australia's other crews on Tuesday at Vaires sur Marne Nautical Stadium, where the women's double sculls and women's coxless four crashed out of medal contention.
With the rowing team and kayakers sharing digs at a chateau away from the main athletes' village, Fox was given a hero's welcome after her K1 triumph.
The slalom canoe GOAT celebrated with champagne and ringing a large bell in front of the accommodation.
Rigney said she wore Fox's medal for a photo, noting how heavy it was.
"To see the emotion when she got back to the chateau - it was definitely we are in the Olympics," said the 25-year-old Sydneysider.
"I look up to Jess - she's amazing.
"Hopefully I will get to ring the bell too - wouldn't that be nice."
Rigney cruised through her quarter-final as did Dutch world champion Karolien Florijn and reigning Olympic champion Kiwi Emma Twigg.
She's looking to become the first medallist since her mentor Kim Brennan won gold in the event in Rio in 2016.
"I definitely felt like I had my framework and I set out to do what I need," Rigney said.
"It will definitely be a step up again for the semi-finals as they are brutal at Olympic Games."
Rigney finished third behind the leading duo at last year's world championships and admitted she was still a fan of Florijn.
"She's so cool - whenever I'm at the start line against Karolien I'm like I'm trying to beat you but even to be next to you is really exciting."
Australia won gold in Tokyo in the women's four but the new-look crew failed to fire.
They needed to finish in the top two in the repechage to make the final but were a distant last in the four-country field.
Amanda Bateman and Harriet Hudson, considered an outside medal chance in the women's double sculls missed the medal race by 0.22 seconds, with only three boats advancing.
Hudson received medical treatment after the race, with temperatures nudging above 30 degrees on the course.
