BUENOS AIRES, Oct. 10 (Xinhua) -- Sol Ordas secured Argentina's first gold medal of the 2018 summer Youth Olympics by winning the girls' single sculls event here on Wednesday.

The 18-year-old crossed the line in the final of the 500m race at Puerto Madero in 1 minute, 43.81 seconds, half a second ahead of Sweden's Elin Lindroth. Estonia's Greta Jaanson claimed bronze, 2.32 seconds off the pace.

"I want to thank everyone who came to encourage us," Ordas said. "After passing the bridge, I stopped thinking and I let myself get carried away by the people's cheers.

The daughter of former Olympic rowers Damian and Dolores, Ordas reflected on her gruelling training regime to prepare for the Youth Olympics.

"When I see myself with this medal around my neck, I realize that it's worth the effort you have to make all those days when you just want to go see your friends or stay at home resting," said Ordas, who started rowing at age 12.

Her triumph came a day after after Felipe Modarelli and Tomas Herrera secured the host nation's first medal of Buenos Aires 2018 in the men's pair rowing event.

Ordas said her success reflected the efforts of the entire Argentine rowing team.

"We're like siblings. We have been preparing for this for a long time," she said following a boisterous medal ceremony which drew loud cheers from local fans.