nasty area of weather heading our Welcome to the Aviva Stadium were
later Ireland begin their rugby campaign against South Africa. Next,
we bring you coverage of the finals in New Zealand in the world rowing
championships. 700 competitors from 15 nations competing and Great
Britain deter amateur improve on a performance last year. Nobody more
determined than the leading British boat. They lost to New Zealand 11
times in a row. Was there ever a payback time? The men's four
provided a solitary goal Tim Still ploughing his lone furrow,
Alan Campbell. Silver last year, could he stop New Zealand making it
five in a row? Somebody enjoying his first trip to an international
in Dublin, Steve Williams. We will analyse events with him later. A
sense of shock and sadness over British rowing following the death
of Andy Holmes. The former partner of Steve Redgrave, Olympic champion
and a immense sense of sadness that the British crews wore black
Really sad news. I rode with Andy for five years. Two-times world
champion, two-times Olympic champion. Changed the face of
British rowing. Forefather to where we are in the sport now. A tragic
loss for all of us. Somebody dedicated, so determined to be
successful. A great guy to row with. The world of rowing misses him. All
the guys that road with him at all levels cannot believe at 51 he is
no longer with us. He would not realise the impact he has made on
Andy Holmes, Olympic champion who has died aged 51. For a great
partnership 20 years ago to two partnerships and a ferocious
rivalry. Put simply, Peter Reed and Andy Hodge of the best in the
British team but bombed and Murray are tantalisingly better for New
Zealand. It was played 11, won 11 to the Kiwis and even the British
crew are losing count. Yes, the We know there is a good Rive Roy
between us and the British. You only have to be first when you
cross the line. It will be a two- horse race and it would -- if they
were not there we would be winning by a long way. We were talking
about 11-0 but that there -- that does not tell the whole story. They
should be worried. We saw how the semi-final when, what will you do
different? I don't think we should worry too much about the semi-final.
Today is the day with the final to may Kaamark. Will the Brits come up
with anything different? Yes, they have nothing to lose. We're
expecting a few more shots than the semi-final. Hopefully we can
counteract and do what we can. We cannot affects what the opposition
can do so we will concentrate on what we can do. We're optimistic.
We can put together one of our fastest races and a great
opportunity to beat these guys on strokes per minute. Italy also were
out quick. The New Zealand drop back in lane three. The Great
Britain in five. The new ceiling crew were not be faced by the fact
Greece have gone out quicker. -- two months ago. Great Britain did
not go to European Championships. The pressure is on these men are to
deliver for Great Britain. Peter Reed, Andy Hodge and now sitting in
a number five just coming into their rhythm. New Zealand starting
to move so smoothly with efficiency coming through the 500 metres.
1,500 metres to go. New Zealand get easy speak, and we should see them
move on smoothly. Compare and contrast New Zealand -- New Zealand
in the black strip from Andy Hodge and Peter Reed.
Great Britain are lower. It looks lower than the British pair. They
have an easy flow and rhythm of swings. If Great Britain can relax
under pressure, develop length and push on they can match them down
the course. They have to watch the and is backed up by Peter Reed in
tighten up. Stay long and push the boat. Let the boat run between
strokes. The British crew I just ahead of New Zealand. Now, we will
Subtitles unavailable for 0 minutes
see fireworks. The defending world not seen Great Britain perform like
Subtitles unavailable for 0 minutes
this in the two years they have must not tense up. Stay relaxed,
stay long and do what they do so well. New Zealand under pressure.
Great Britain just holding the lead. Zealanders are moving. Great
Britain after digging. New Zealand went up to 42 strokes per minute.
Great Britain have to push it up. New Zealand look right and left and
they are ahead. One last push from Andy Hodge and Peter Reed and maybe
they can get back. They have not rolled over. They will not roll
over. New Zealand are up to 44 strokes per minute. They are being
from Peter Reed and Andy Hodge. Silver today but that is as close
as it ever got. New Zealand get it again today. Confirmation of New
Zealand getting the gold medal. It was very close. Great Britain can
drive on again as we head towards the Olympic Games in two years'
What a spectacular Jule. Nonetheless, a defeat for Britain
which raises the question about whether next year they will be
relocated to the men's four to guarantee a gold medal in London
2012. A lot depends on how the four get on in New Zealand. Going into
the race they were confident. are excited. We had a controlled
row. We know it is a big deal for New Zealand. They will be gunning
for it. The good thing is we step up for the finals. We're excited
about showing what we can do. the Kiwis a surprise coming here
because they have not performed so far but have stepped up? Yes, we
raced the four in the final. They got silver. We heard they had a
change of crew so we expect them to be strong. We are not
underestimating anyone. They are taken the first 500 metres by storm.
There about psychologically taking apart the other five boats in the
just going away. And that is the best United States crew. They are
struggling, sitting back in 5th place. They are not able to deal
with this water and that is partly because the Americans tend to put
their crew together late in the day. They put them together and they
can't cope when things are difficult like this. Great Britain
are taking 39 strokes per minute. These are the positioning so.. They
are trying to get a good solid rhythm, combining the power element
with the rhythm. That was difficult, but they are far enough in front to
recover from that. They have just got to stay cool, get back into
their rhythm, feel relaxed and don't panic. Don't start to feel
they have got to steal back what they lost. Coming up towards the
1000 metres mark in this final, the men's heavyweight coxless four.
Elaine number one, the French are starting to move. They had a big
push in the last 250 metres. New Zealand are also going strongly
here in first to the third 500 metres. France are throwing
absolutely everything at the British crew to try and crack them,
knowing that, at the end of the next 500 metres, the crew start to
move into better water. This is a real psychological battle. France
are very effective athlete, they moved very well indeed and they are
showing a great turn of speed. They seem to be slightly protected on
the far side. They have not been having these mishaps from the rough
water. I would expect Great Britain to start a turn on the screw here
from the 1500 metres really to start racing at home. We have been
watching Matt language from the side of the picture. Nothing looks
as if it is going wrong, they are just ready to push, probably about
the 1500 metres mark but they are in a precarious position because
the French have moved through. Surely now the wheels can't be
coming off the British crew in lane number four? It looks like
Partridge in the Bow Street starting to struggle. -- bow seat.
In the last 500 metres, Great Britain have allowed the French to
come back into it. The British crew have to respond because coming
strongly in a number two is Greece, and behind them come the Kiwis in
lane three. This is a bit surprised because Great Britain were able to
control the race in front. They are good at finishing but the French
are even better. That is what they did in the semi-final, they came
from behind. Britain can't panic, get anxious, but the French are
moving and they are now half a length ahead. It will be difficult
for Great Britain, the world champions, to get back on equal
terms. The French are moving away with 250 metres to go. It looks
like Great Britain have nothing in the tank to respond. The world
champions Great Britain are now pushed back into bronze position
and they have another problem, because here, New Zealand taking on
the bronze medal position. Out front, the crowd are going mad for
New Zealand but it is France coming up inside 1000 metres. There has
got to be something wrong in the British boat, something has gone
wrong in that crash they had. the line now and it is France
coming over into gold medal positions. It is France, Greece,
and the bronze medal going to New Zealand. A huge disappointment for
the great British crew, their heads are down. What happened to Great
Britain, the defending world champions, when the rest of the
world came through in the last 500 metres? Great Britain had nothing
to respond. Something went wrong. The crash they had half way down
the course must have done something, but they didn't look anything like
the crew that they are in the last 600 metres. That was a big blow for
them and there will be changes ahead, I am sure.
There is the confirmation, the There will be an awful lot of
investigation into that. Proving once again there are no
certainties in sport. Let's hear from all the parties concerned in
those two races, firstly let's concentrate on Peter Reid and Andy
Hodge. That was unbelievable, fantastic.
You must have been running on fumes in the last 250 but still coming
back at them. We had a mind set at the beginning of the race to focus
on what we could do. We kept the rate popping along, it felt like
our best rowing out there, and then we realised we had the lead. It
felt like the boat picked up, and it was our eyes closed, waggle your
ear lobes and tried to get in front of them. The Kiwis started to move
away from you, and I thought this would be it, it would either be a
big margin or it would be close. have not seen how close yet, but
Andy Hodge said he didn't know what was going on, that was my job to
read the race and see what was happening. I think I called a good
one. Credit to the Kiwis, that is as good a fight we could have put
up. They have been worthy opposition for the last 18 months.
We are top fit at the moment, top skilled, ready to race, we went out
there to enjoy it today. We went to enjoy ourselves and we got the most
out of ourselves. There has been a lot of speculation about the
partnership in the future, the honest answer is we don't know, but
if this is the end we have had a load of silver medals but a lot
more fun than that suggests. What do you reckon to having their home
crowd in 2012? Bring it on. I love going out in Caversham and knocking
out the miles. Whatever happens, I am going to win gold in London.
silver medallist, not normally would I say they were outstanding,
but it was an honour to watch that race. Well done.
I think Steve Redgrave saying what all those watching were thinking.
We will talk about that in a moment with Steve Williams, whether they
should stay as a pair or moved into a four, but conditions were
immeasurably better than the day before so that would have
undoubtedly affected the men's four race. It is not what we expected,
it is not what we were capable of, and the conditions played havoc
with us. We felt that the course was very unfair and that lost a
medal for Rose. In the end we didn't get a single medal. Was that
in your mind beforehand about the lanes? It was some of the roughest
water I have ever rode on. We knew it was ridiculously rough and we
were in one of the further lanes that side so we knew it would be
pretty tough and a bit unfair. were sitting there, and even though
we knew the result of that men's pair race we were still going "come
on!". It was a real cracker. What a great race, and Steve quite rightly
said it was an honour and a privileged to see. It will always
be a matter of an opinion but be a matter of an opinion but
perhaps the two best crews in the world were going hell-for-leather
against each other. After all their confidence, their tenacity, over
the last few years Peter Reid and Andy Hodge have had tough times. It
is remarkable. The Kiwis of course, absolute credit to them. Huge
expectations on home water, and to come into 400 metres to go half a
length down, you just think how can they come back from that? They
mounted a massive push to come back and just take it. It is not often
you see the runners up smiling as broadly as that, but given the
nature of the two guy is concerned, they left nothing in the boat, did
they? I am sure they had to be carried out of the boat. It was
great to see that interview, it really showed their spirit. It was
great to see Andy Hodge laughing about it, Peter a bit more sombre,
what that typify is their attitude over the last few years. I have
been proud to say that I rode with those guys because their attitude
has been great. I think main need to stay in that pair. If they walk
away from it now, having got so close, what has that been for? They
need to stay in that pair, and it is a mouth-watering prospect.
talk about the men's four and the conditions there, a lot of people
watching who are not great rowing experts say, "aren't the conditions
the same for everybody?"but they are not, are they? No, there are a
crosswind conditions and the six most fair lanes will be picked.
They have a choice of 12 or 15 lanes, so they pick the most fair.
If it is really unfair conditions then they cede the crews, rather
than the typical share from, they should seek the top seeds over to
the best condition lanes. I think the guys have got a point. Anyone
can see watching the race that they were grabbing, catching their oars,
and the French were having a much easier time of it. I am sure there
is something there. They raced the French in the heat and they
dispatched them fairly comfortably. I don't think they can rely on that,
it would be a mistake to go home and think everything would be OK if
we had fair conditions because, let's face it, they still got
beaten by the Kiwis in the next door lane which can't be any more
than 10 metres away. Whether or not there is some other sub-plot going
on there, we heard down talking about the conditions. I know Mark
Langridge has had a bad summer with his back, and whether that put his
back under a bit of pressure and they couldn't perform at the top
level, maybe there is something there. The New Zealand pair are
outstanding athletes. Eric, that was absolutely
unbelievable. Do you know how close it was? No, but after talking to
you yesterday saying that we only had to be in front for the last
metre of the race, I am pretty sure it was the last metre that we were
in front. You actually got in front with about 250 to go. They were
running on fumes but coming back at you. How did that feel? Every other
race, I have always felt we could walk away at will but today we had
to dig deep and Sprint. It made all the training worthwhile, I guess.
Thanks very much, it was an amazing So the question is, do the pair
stay as a great rivalry but run the risk of only getting a silver in
2012? When the target is to be waving the flag, getting gold
medals for funding purposes, getting everybody enthused, so it
is not quite as straightforward as a rowing issue, there are bigger
issues as well. Yes, and I suppose that is the coach's'view and not
Peter and Andrews. They have staked their reputations on it, and they
have stuck with it for two years. They have come so far. They are so
close and, as I just said, it seems a waste to get that close and then
walk away from it. Also I suppose, if the call was to be made there
actually we want to go for the so- called safe gold in the four, I
don't think that has to be made right now. I don't think the
decision has to be made now, it could still be made in 12 months'
time. They could hang in there for the next year, and I would be
bullish. They have come so far, got so close and the pressure will be
on the Kiwis now. To sustain a four year unbeaten run would be a big
Zac Purchase and Mark Hunter are looking to pick up where they loft
air in -- left off in Beijing. first World Cup regatta in Munich,
we went not knowing where we were in the event. Munich was fantastic,
really enjoyed that. We had an all right heat, a mediocre semi and it
did not clicking the final. Lucerne was disappointing to say the least.
New Zealand get the gold. Great Britain are out of the medals.
did not get my recovery right. I have worked on at to make sure it
does not happen again. It is easier to learn lessons from Lucerne than
Munich. It is easy to find their way you went wrong and not where
Mark is so consistent. He is really dependable which makes my job
easier. I can know what he will be doing every stroke. Twinning with
him can be tough because he can be moody but when it comes to
delivering performance he is one of the best athletes I have known,
delivering when it matters. We have a lot of fun in training but in
difficult, the final of the men's lightweight double scull is under
way. Zac Purchase and Mark Hunter in lane number for have absolutely
attacked it. They have driven out hard into the elements. They now
lead by a canvas. That is what she would expects former Olympic
Great Britain. These crews have taken the race by the scruff of its
neck. You want to get out in front and
cope with the conditions to see everyone is struggling as much as
you are. The danger is thinking only you are having difficulties.
If you are too tense and attacking too hard, it can unsettle you if
you hit the water badly. You have to judge that and stay cool and
keep your sculls out of trouble. New Zealand know this course, they
know the side wind so they will feel confident. The water splashes
in over both boats. The world champions in the black strip up
against the Olympic champions of conquering the elements. They took
a year off last year. Zac Purchase was ill and advised to step out and
Mark Hunter did some coaching at UCLA. They have come back together,
sharing incredible form. 500 metres remain in this final of the men's
lightweight double scull. The British crew have taken this race
apart. Mark Hunter sits in the stroke seat and Zac Purchase backs
him up in the bow seat. What a find. The old magic that saw them do the
spectacular final race in 2008, it has not been lost. They are going
stronger and faster. The defending champions are not having it their
way. The Great Britain double, they are
so well connected. They are really going so well. Their legs connected
with the blade tips. They do is a beautifully and effectively. Three
lengths ahead of the world champions. That is stunning.
crews come through and past the 250 to go mark. The Kiwis are driving
race is on for bronze. Surely the Canadians can take big scalp in
British lightweight men's double scull. Zac Purchase and Mark Hunter.
That is how you do it. Arms in the air. A world champion crew. They
add the world champion to their titles. Italy over the line in
settle -- in seconds with New Zealand in the bronze-medal
position. They came out of the Cold Room. They held their nerve. They
got away well. They relaxed, their blades were coming out of the water.
They moved extremely well and caught the world champions, New
Britain won in this category. We have done it again today. It was
very challenging. It is about sculling well and effective. We had
the opportunity of no wind. If you had asked me last year if I would
be world champion, I would not say I could do that in a year. Our
support staff have made this possible. It is great to be back.
The semi-final looked a class above everybody. What are you feeling
like? We did what we needed to do and shade or we can do in decent
water. We try to get the finish So a great moment for purchase and
Hunter. Top of the podium again. It does not matter was bought you talk
about, some have winners written all over them. If I was in any
other boat, I would be saying, not them again! It is a storybook
ending for their comeback year. They have worked so hard. They are
in a different league. It is impressive to see in any class but
when you consider in the lightweight division they are
sitting on the start line and the average weight of their crew is
within a couple of ounces of each other but on the finish line it has
a different league. It is pound- for-pound power and efficiency of
their boat and the belief they have in what they're doing. In the
interviews we saw before, bullet proof confidence and belief in each
other's abilities that they can trust 100% what the other will do.
More than anything, that gives them the advantage. They missed the
world champions last year in Poland and one outstanding race was the
single scull featuring a rivalry between Alan Campbell and Drysdale.
They would lock horns in New sculls. We are both police to be
part of such an historic final. is all about beating this guy.
Drysdale. I remember the last 250 and it was tricky water. I want to
push it on. That is part of the recently produced such a good time.
Alan Campbell is half a leg down. each other and push each other to
go quicker. The rivalry is good, it is still strong. But this year we
have played second fiddle to the Czech Republic who have come
through. Now, it is up to the rest of the field to take the challenge
and find more speed themselves. biggest threats will both come from
the Czech Republic. It was an awkward year, I had a bike crash in
January and then a few back problems. Basically, it has cleared
up, no issues and I am fit and healthy and ready to take on the
world. Alan Campbell has not had a great year, have you spoken to him
yet? Yes, I had a chat to him. He has not had a great year with
injury and problems. If he can get the problems behind him, he should
be on full form. We are friends on and off the water. That seven
the single scull. Alan Campbell who exploded into the first 500 metres.
He has slipped back in the second 500. Coming on stronger and
stronger, Drysdale from New Zealand. The defending world champion. He is
coming through smoothly. The Czech Republic in lane five taken on the
lead. He is looking stronger and the Finishers, pushing his boat on.
Alan Campbell holding onto bronze. Drysdale squeezing away. So
powerful, one of the most powerful scullers out there. Today, it is
about brute strength and holding on to good technique in what is bubbly
been biding his time. They had to do a lot of work to catch up with
him. Will he push back again in his final surge?
The Czech Republic has the better speed. He is sculling better. 500
to go in this final of the men's single scull. Czech Republic puts
it himself into a great position. champion. He have to dig deeper to
get back on track. Alan Campbell from Great Britain in length array,
early race leader, surely he can have something to get back into the
race. The Czech Republic is a better
sculler then Drysdale. He collects the stroke and a far more effective
way whereas you feel Drysdale is grabbing at the front end of the
stroke. Alan Campbell has found something from the reserves. He is
coming back on Drysdale. Inside 200 metres to the line. The Czech
Republic continues to hold. Alan here. They are inside 100 metres
from the sculler from the Czech Republic. Still, Alan Campbell
pushing on hard. On the line, a gold medal for the Czech Republic,
silver for Drysdale, and Alan Campbell will get the bronze today.
It has been a long time coming. Synek From the Czech Republic
changes the previous silver medals for a gold medal. That was horrible.
I just feel like someone has cut my legs off, it really hurts. I
desperately wanted it, you could see I was catching him. Those
thinking about all of the training we do, thinking about Christmas and
all of the training I did, but I couldn't catch him on the line. It
has been a long season. It is good that I have got a result, I held on
to the medal, and I have got to keep working harder and harder.
Whatever I have got to do, I am going to do in order to come back
stronger next year. I am ready for 2012. That is fantastic. Union
depict the German on the line at his own world championships.
said it was going to be strong this year and everything else from the
early season. I thought I might have had him, but not this year.
Like I said, I will be back. That is what you call giving
everything, isn't it. A bronze for Alan Campbell, after a silver last
year. Is he destined to always be the bride, the best man rather, the
bridesmaid, that is the phrase! is tough, all year the cheque has
looked unbeatable, but Alan will be disappointed not to beat the German.
The German has only been training seriously for four months. You can
see he is nowhere near his best. Today it was just got from the
German, and he talked about identifying what he needs to do,
and he will do it. Anyone would say it is the size of his engine.
Looking at his competitors, they are probably five seconds quicker
than Alan Campbell. Without the engine, I don't think he will get
in front of them. The last time I saw Tom Aggar was
at the Harlequins ground during the Rugby World Cup final. He was
talking about how much he was looking forward to going to New
Zealand and keeping his unbeaten record, and that is something he
did. Congratulations. How do you feel?
Great, it is fabulous to get another world title under my belt.
It is great to compete in New Zealand. Close down a bit off the
start, I knew a few guys would come out quickly but after 250 I started
putting them away and took it from there really. Have you ever lost a
major race? No, I have never lost any major races. I always come out
on top so it is quite a lot of pressure to carry on. Good pressure.
Yes, a good feeling, I am sure you know. No complacency?
definitely not. I always try to stay grounded and keep improving as
an athlete. How much is 2012 burning in your heart? There is
strongly. Obviously it is two years away, coming closer and closer.
Qualification is next year and I am looking forward to relishing the
chance to compete on home soil. Congratulations to Tom. This is
what happened in the women's single scull. M Atwick took bronze medal
scull. M Atwick took bronze medal for New Zealand in third place. If
you need an excuse to stay up late on a Saturday night, you can watch
highlights tomorrow at 2pm on BBC Two, but why not stay up through
the night and watch all the events live on the red button at 1:40am.
The key factor in determining whether Britain will be
monumentally successful in 2012 will be getting the right people in
the right boat at the right time so here is what happened with the
newly reassembled women's quad, which included three people who
were silver medallists in Beijing but have been put together over the
last couple of months. Among this quartet is Annie Vernon and Debbie
Flood who took a year off to become a fully qualified prison officer.
Is it good to be back? It is fantastic, everyone is really
positive and it is great to be back in the thick of it. Everyone at
work, at the prison, have been really supportive to me for coming
back to rowing. I came back late this year but we have gelled
together really well as a crew. Long season. Has that been tough?
He has, it has been pretty hard. Most of the other countries raced
the European championships in September but we didn't. We trade
really hard -- trained really hard. It was a long time but we managed
it really well. We had two training camps. We knew it was going to be a
long season so we were prepared for it. It is a tough final. There will
be five boats fighting it out for medals but that is what we do the
training for. We have tough races so we are going to go out there and
see how fast we can go. So it's birds started this final,
two boats have taken it on, one of those is the Ukraine in lane number
three, the world champions, and Great Britain sitting alongside
them in a number four. These crews have coped very well with the
A great combination, coached by Baden Robinson. They continue to
eat into the lead from the Ukraine, the world champions. They have
stayed very calm and steady. Do they have the turn of speed to push
on through the Ukrainians? The Germans are very fast at finishing,
very strong in the last part of the race. But they are looking good and
really putting pressure on the Ukraine. Now Great Britain have
taken the lead just through good boat speed here. They are keeping
the bows up and out of the water. Now the confidence should be really
starting to fail. They know they are through the worst of the water.
Every stroke they take now, every metre they eat up into this race is
Amy to close to the finishing line -- a metre closer to the finishing
line. They just went for about a quarter of a length up, pushed
right through. They have taken nearly three-quarters of a length
coming into the last 500 metres. The final of the women's quadruple
scull going to plan. They have taken the world champions, Ukraine,
in lane number three with 500 metres, in conditions that are
atrocious. Now into the last five. The water is going to get better
and the British crew will push on. They are still moving over Ukraine
in lane number three. Down the boat, Debbie Flood, 26 years old sits in
the bow seat. Frances Houghton, we welcome her back on to the
international scene. 29 years of age from the University of London
Boat Club. Annie Vernon in the stroke seat, really stretching it
out. An incredible combination here. The timing is exquisite. They push
their legs down and they are getting great boat speed, but watch
out for the Germans in a number one. The Germans have now moved up to
almost level with the Ukraine. All the ratings here, all the strokes
at about 32 strokes per minute but now they have moved up to 36
strokes per minute and they are really taking his home. Germany are
going to catch Ukraine, but they will not catch the British because
they are flying. The British crew have done all they need to do. It
is about clear heads, no mistakes. The water is good, the Germans are
coming fast but they won't have enough to catch them. The gold
medal today is going to Great Britain. The British are world
champions again in the women's quadruple scull and it was a race
to perfection. What a strong women's sculling crew Great Britain
has. We had a first class women's double. We can bring in two new
athletes into the quad at this stage and they could win the gold
medal. It is totally dominant and a very impressive win.
A lot was asked from the British crew, they responded in style and
panache. Great Britain are the world champions in first, Ukraine
in second and Germany third. A massive amount of confidence in the
women's sculling crew. It was just amazing. All season we have been so
focused on our rowing and we have not thought about anything else. We
just stayed in the moment and everything went to plan. We had an
amazing with them. We were a bit scrappy, breath pulled us in, and
there was the line! Fantastic. Debbie, where do you think it was
one? You looked so relaxed in the second half. It looked so relaxed
the whole way down. When we were a length down on Ukraine, I knew we
were going to come through with our rhythm. No one panicked, just one
stroke better time, and we inched our way through. World champion,
how is that? Amazing! I said to the girl's last week that I didn't have
a world medal and I felt I was in the company of greatness and it was
the year I believed it was possible. It is fantastic. Fran, difficult
season, how was this? I have won both of my races since Beijing so
that is a good start! We have not had that long together but it was
the four of Tours and our coach and we just bolted together. -- brought
it together. There was a fantastic performance. Faces wreathed in
smiles, certainly Annie Vernon at the end when they crossed the line,
you could see what it meant to her. How was it possible to get a
synchronicity amongst four athletes in such a short space of time?
such a short space of time but you can also see them on the podium,
they are different sizes are as well. They have a great system
going back 10 years to Sydney. This has been an ongoing project. Paul
Thompson has a great eye, he is a great coach and he has done a good
job. Debbie Flood took a year off but seven months ago Fran had a hip
operation and was put -- practically under house arrest. She
was told not to walk round and she was not sure she would even be
racing this year. Let's round up some other races that have taken
place over the next 24 hours. Let's move on to the men's quad, and this
is the first time that the men's crew from Great Britain reached the
final since 1982, but Stephen Rowbotham Pauls quartet were never
really in the hunt as Croatia pipped Italy to the line. Sophie
Hosking struggled in the rough conditions, they were at their
worst when they were racing. Canada held off Germany for gold with
greased taking bronze. I am going to stay with the light weights now
and move on to the men's lightweight four. This was always
going to be a hugely competitive race and that was not lost on the
I always felt I was a sweeper but I was in sculling boats so I am glad
to be back in my natural discipline. How does the boat feel? Brilliant.
A different group of guys. Chris I worked with in the pair. It is good
to be with Robbie. He is a strong physical character. It is a new
boat, different but strong. world champion four, has the boat
got what it takes? Definitely. If we put it together. Technically and
physically we will win. I have complete confidence in the guy
sitting in front of me. If I have asked for something, it has been
delivered when we need it. We have to 50 but have slumped so little
bit. The British crew bride in the second half of the race. They are
sprinters. The they will be in the pressure on the British.
The British crew were a bit splashy. Is a bit anxious. They have to
start moving. They cannot get lulled into a sense they do not
have to react but now we are moving. They felt the challenge from Italy
on the far side. Germany pushed know how to race the event. 500
Subtitles unavailable for 0 minutes
at the final. So close! The Chinese Kainth and know where. People
cannot believe what is happening. We will wait for the confirmation
of the gold medal between Great Britain and China. The British
believe they have got it. We will wait for the full confirmation. An
astonishing finish from the Chinese. Great Britain holding on. An
astonishing finish. They have been told they got it by a fraction.
Great Britain, Australia and China. Look at the time between those
three. Great Britain are worthy world champions.
That was fantastic. So close. It was awesome. I was confident we had
a good race plan. I wanted to set up a good rhythm and these boys
could take over. You said second half crew. Not by enough. I don't
mind how much we won by but we won. So exciting. Different remembers,
what was it like? If anything, it was faster. They were not our
favourite conditions but we were up to the job and his crew can go
faster. He looked very classy. Ellis a bit concerned in the middle.
We went off the blocks quite well. It was scrappy out there. I had
confidence in the guise. Be confident, be brave. We opened up a
lead, it was just very rough. Ridiculous, really. Lightweight
races can be so exciting and that was one of the most exciting and
thrilling finishes. It was a cracking race. That race
demonstrates well how strong mark and Zac Purchase are. I am so
pleased. You could see the effort on their faces. Rob Williams, you
could see how hard they were working for it. I am so pleased. It
is a red hot event. No room for complacency. One more final race to
show you, the women's pair final. Helen Glover and Heather Stanning.
From Scotland and Cornwall. A UK 500. The British crew leading
Canada in lane six and New Zealand in lane four. The United States of
America, defending world champion. British pair. Great Britain have
Subtitles unavailable for 0 minutes
second place. The defending champions, the USA. Still a long
way to go but it will be hard for them to get back into the gold
Subtitles unavailable for 0 minutes
Zealand from Great Britain and Canada. The big surprise so far is
the United States of America who have not been able to come back.
New Zealand are punishing the Americans. Venusian crowd are going
wild. -- the New Zealand crowd are going on in a number three. The
defending world champions are Olympic champions. They have
The crowd roaring and applauding. Gold for New Zealand. Holding on
for silver, Great Britain. It will be a photo-finish for bronze. A
wonderful results for New Zealand. The world champions, something to
please the home crowd. Commendable for Great Britain. The silver for
feel like it is a dream. What did you expect? It was totally unknown.
We had high hopes for ourselves. Totally unreal. I started in 2008
and I did not know what would happen. Suddenly, I am standing on
a podium. It does not feel real. the final race showing the British
crew on the page him. With one day to go, it has been successful.
three gold medals which is a record. It goes to show things are going
well. The system is going well. A good signal for the next two years
and a couple of silver medals might The headlines are about Greg Searle
but Ray exciting we can have an Aids at the top of the world's with
seven relatively young guys. That is exciting. There may be one of
the boat, I have not seen the lane draw yet. That may come into play.
The Brits could win it. Katherine Grainger in the double and after
their season, we hope for gold there. Talking about Andy Holmes,
one of the people at the start of this rolling revolution. How much
do you think the sport owes that era of people, Steve Redgrave in
the vanguard? A huge man. Speaking for my own experience, I was
watching Steve and Matthew on TV when I decided I wanted to go to
the Olympics and row and win gold. Firstly, it is the inspiration and
young kids want to be Andy Hodge and Pete Reed and Matthew Langridge
and Katherine Grainger. Also, in terms of the legacy from Steve and
Andy, in those days none of the funding as we know it today and we
were deciding where our best chances of gold medals were and
historically that is where the money will go. We are back tomorrow
with coverage of the second day of the world championships. Plenty