Lucerne Rowing World Cup

is quite a well-known rugby stadium just over there. And we are heading

to Twickenham rowing club, one of the oldest on the River Thames, more

than 150 years old, to review the final regatta of the year.

than 150 years old, to review the final regatta of What is unique

about Twickenham Rowing Club is that it is situated on a private island,

slap in the middle of the river between Twickenham on one side and

Kingston on the other. We are here to consider what happened at

Lucerne, the final regatta of the year, before the World Championships

in August. COMMENTATOR: Greg Britain, get

bronze! Greg Britain pushing for silver! It is silver for Great

Britain. Helen Glover, Heather Stanning, they are back in style.

Fantastic, gold for Great Britain. Big statement, big, big statement

here to day. And there was some fantastic tick

rowing nearer to home last weekend, at the 175th Henley Regatta. Some

great victories for some we will be seeing in action at Lucerne later

on. Katherine Grainger is with us to reflect on all things rowing. In a

very congested part of the year, where does Henley sit for the elite

athletes? Henley Royal Regatta always sits in the second and third

World Cup, so it is a busy time of the for racing. But Jewish athletes

want to try to race there. Before we had London 2012, it was the biggest

thing people would ever experience. Two -lane racing, it is a different

intensity from the six lane internationals. The top athletes

want to do it. Who most impressed you in France, at Aiguebelette,

three weeks ago? Looking back to the last World Cup, when we saw the full

team, the women's pair is winning and winning very well. The men's

four have really set a different standard in that event. And the

men's squad are doing really well and providing the standards that we

are looking for. Also, seeing the women's double, seeing Imogen and

Kat, they put it right in. Aiguebelette So, it is an exciting

time. Are there individuals who are still competing for places in the

World Championships? Yes, one of the biggest ones you will probably see

would be things like the men's pair and the men's eight. They have been

shuffling around a bit in the last few weeks, but actually, they have

all done well. And there are different personalities coming

through in different roles, but that is one which is still in the mix.

Here is what we have got coming up for you over the next hour. We will

be hearing from Alex Gregory, Olympic, world and European

champion. There is no compensation is in this boat. We got in on the

first day and it went quite well. It was pretty balanced, which is a good

start for a boat. Glover and Stanning are back, and they mean

business. Unbeaten to Rio, that is the aim. We want to have a massive

trajectory of improvement. Will Satch tells us that for this group,

there really is just one target for the season. We will just be trying

to go there and hit it from the word go, as always. Starting off with the

main, at the heart of the boat, Alex Gregory, world, Olympic and European

champion, and fit aureus at Henley last week as well.

It was a good race for us, and to but a good lightweight French crew

on top of that is a bonus, in front of our home crowd. This is near

enough my hometown, we get so few chances to race in Britain, this is

quite special for us. There is no complete and is in this boat. We got

in on the first day and it went quite well. It was pretty balanced,

which is a good start for a boat. We all see it pretty much the same way,

and it makes life a lot easier. I am not saying it has to be like that,

and we will still develop as a cruel and have differing opinions, but

there is a good feeling between the four of us. The winter is not a

pleasant time, but if you get the training right and put in the good

performances, almost you can relax a bit in the summer. If you enable

yourself to relax in the summer, you perform better. I am confident with

what we COMMENTATOR: Great Britain are making it look

very easy. I am not surprised the boat has gone

well from the start. The three guys I am rowing with our quality

athletes. We are all fit, healthy, consistent in what we have been

doing, so in one way, I am not surprised to. In another way, it is

a shock that we are so far ahead of the competition. I know that will

change, the World Championships. Kroos typically improve a huge

amount in the last few weeks, so we have to keep being motivated. There

is no confusion in what we are doing. It is really simple rowing,

and that is the way I like it. I have had good experiences in Lucerne

in the four. 2012, Olympic year, was not so good. But sometimes there is

not much you can do about it, other nations perhaps peek at different

times for top but no question, we are going out to win. I feel

confident that it is going to be difficult to beat us, unless we get

something wrong. At the moment I am really confident, really enjoying

it. COMMENTATOR: Great Britain,

undefeated this season in this new combination. They are in lane three.

And the Dutch are showing their consistency, they know how to get

themselves down the course as quick as possible, which is a shame Well,

It Is Not A Shame At All, They Are Not As Quick As The Brits!

Netherlands, The World Champions, Are In Lane Five. And the Czech

Republic are closest to us. Regardless of whatever boat,

whatever size, the Italians get out quick, as always. But look at the

power unleashed by Andy Hodge, backed up by George Nash. What a

fine he has been. Alex Gregory in the bow seat, easing out, and they

have already got a quarter of a length. Yes, and the Italians

traditionally will lay down what they have got at the start, but even

that is not enough to put the Brits out of their stride. What this

British crew has got, they have a very good combination of a natural

rhythm, but also very powerful. I think the best oarsmen in the boat

is Alex Gregory, and he is in the bow seat, so he can see what

everybody is doing. Mohammed Sidibe is incredibly strong. They are

basically front wheel drive. It is just working really well. 500

metres, three quarters of a length, great written over the rest of the

world. Canada in second place. The world champions, Netherlands,

currently in the bronze medal position. Moving into the second

500. Expect the British four to move on again. They will find their

transition into their rhythm, but you will expect the power still to

be on, and just moving away. You're right, their speed in the second

503rd 500 is easy speed. It comes because they are very natural

together, so they are not wasting any energy. All of the energy is

going into the end of the oar. The Dutch crew last year did not

threaten apart from the last few hundred metres, so they are very

confident. I am sure they will come into second place. But this is where

the Brits, between 500 and 1000, this is where they are going to rip

the heart and guts out of the opposition. The rhythm, long and

loose, backed up by George Nash in the three seat. Up in lane one,

though, Canada. Three of this crew were 14th in the World Championships

last year. They have changed their stroke man, Langerfeld has come in.

Halfway now, in this final, the men's four. Great Britain have eased

out to a length in that second 500. The world champions remain in bronze

medal position. If you compare great written, they are a lot longer,

there is more fluidity coming forwards, around the finish, then

the Netherlands, who are the reigning world champions. If you

look at the tandem, which means two oars close together, between the two

and the number three man, they are very much together. The Brits will

look to have at least half a length of clear water by 1500 metres. That

is what they are going to take away to their training camp.

is what they are going to take away will be disappointed if they do not

have will be disappointed if they do not

that would mean other people were sticking with them. They want to not

just dominate this race, sticking with them. They want to not

want to rip the guts out of the other crews over the next six weeks.

You have been in this position with Juergen Gruber, the chief wizard of

all of this, ever since he has come over here! You are out, you are

clear, you are feeling good, the legs hurt, but you are still pushing

on? Yes. What he said to us before the race in Sydney, and now they

have come through 1500 metres, they have moved out incredibly well...

But what Juergen said to us, with Matt Pinsent and Steve Redgrave, we

had an incredibly fast first 500, and then often our speed would drop

and people would come back at us and then we would go again in the second

half. Whereas this crew have a quick first 500, AND keep going, which is

really annoying to race against, I can tell you! Canada, long and loose

on the far side, more powerful, rather than any technique. But they

are doing a great job, in the bronze medal position. But from the very

first stroke to the very last, in full command of the men's

heavyweight coxless four, making it look easy, although it is not, the

power is coming down off those legs through the finish... It is, but

there is a lot left in the tank. They have not been pushed. These

boys may let themselves off the leash in the last hundred metres,

but there is loads more in the tank. The opposition do not know how fast

they are, and neither do the Brits, because they have not had to. Coming

up to the line now, great written just complete the domination of the

2014 World Cup series. -- Great Britain. They are World Cup

champions, it does not get any better than that, as they head of

for their summer training camps. Netherlands get silver, Canada,

bronze. The Dutch showing their consistency, they may not have won

their semi, but they know how to get themselves down the course as

quickly as possible. It is just a shame that they are not as quick as

the Brits! Can you see anyone getting close to you? We are racing

the clock, we have got bigger markers to put down in our training.

We have done some really good stuff. We have got to finish the

season in style, so we have got work to do over the next four weeks. The

last six weeks have been really good, but everybody remembers the

World Championships, so we have to put everything into that. The men's

four is such an iconic boat, and you are in the middle of it, with an

unbeaten record going into the World Championships, I guess is must give

you a lot of pleasure? Absolutely. It has been awesome. Cannot find

enough superlatives for it, it has been great. There were almost tears

there, George Nash! And one thing, as you go forward to the World

Championships, I'm sure you have got some improvements to make? Yes, we

go back to our winter training so it is more long milage, low intensity

and build ourselves up again a lot can happen in the six weeks. We know

we have got a bit more to come and I am sure other crews have as well. We

have to keep that in our minds, no question about it. We are excited

about our project, just got to keep it going.

There is always the risk of being blas?. What did you make about that

performance? You have got to consider that the boys have raced

the European Championships, the Aiguebelette World Cup, the Regatta

and now the Lucerne World Cup so a lot of racing in a short space of

time. They will be feeling the fatigue of that. Generally, the

British crews at this time in the calendar are looking for a break.

And yet, they still won by a length and in a four that is a comfortable

margin. Gary was saying in the commentary that this is the four who

will go on for the next couple of years or so. Is that how you see

them? The main way it works is that has to be a reason to change a crew.

If a crew is winning, it is seen as the status quo unless there is a

reason to change it. At the moment, you would say, why would you change

that? It would be very exciting to see it go all the way but we are

still two years away. From one crew which is unbeaten, Helen Glover and

Heather Stanning. They have big hopes not just for now, but for the

future. It was really natural to have Heather back. Really exciting

to have Helen back in the boat and racing again. It was the first time

since the Olympic final. Great Britain are the Olympic champions!

IR anticipating being anxious and forgetting what I am doing but when

I was there it was fine. For myself there was less on the line in that I

had won the European Championships three weeks before. Knowing Helen

had done incredibly well last year with Polly made it a really good

challenge for me. It was something I know I wanted to do. She's the sort

of person you can wind her up, put her on the start line and you would

not know she felt pressure. You cannot tell. It was not going to be

giving to me and that was the best thing. The last thing you want as an

athlete is to be handed something on a plate. I think the close Bond

between us as friends and as team-mates is really important. I

think any relationship takes time to build. Helen has stepped massively

in the year I was away. I did say to her, have a great year and keep

getting better and I will try and catch up with you when I get back.

What made it really easy is nothing has changed between us. I was

excited to have her back. It is always exciting moving forward. I

was aware that she was ahead of me and I am still catching up a bit. As

the season progresses, hopefully I will close that gap a bit! And we

will be two well matched athletes again! Helen Glover and Heather

Stanning, they are back in style. We have a load more work to do and more

speed to find. The upcoming people will have a big trajectory of

improvement. We want to match that. Rio is where we want to defend our

title. We have to make sure we have moved on before the rest of the

world move on and move fastest. The women's pair under way. A slow

start from New Zealand. Great Britain jumped out of the blocks.

The Netherlands, South Africa, Great Britain in lane three, New Zealand

in lane four will stop the New Zealand under 23 bed in lane number

five and Romania in lane six. They have gone out quick. They may be

slightly ahead -- less ahead of the Dutch in lane one. I expect it will

be between New Zealand and GB. The way GB are moving, they could be

enjoying a nice view of the race. 300 metres already. Helen Glover and

Heather Stanning from Great Britain. Doing what they do best. They jumped

out. They set the tone of the race, Doing what they do best. They jumped

their authority on it. A clean start. Slow for New

their authority on it. A clean compatriots, the under 23 New

Zealand pair of Prendergast and Growler. They are in five. There was

a look from grace Pendergast to see if they are tracking the British

pair. A court of the race gone in the winning's coxless pair. It is a

length now from Great Britain over the New Zealand under 23 pair who

themselves have got clear water over the New Zealand first win in's pair.

That in itself is extraordinary, between an under 23 crew in the

all-black strip to the right there leading their first boat. The crews

now start to transition into their race pace. They will have come down

into their race pace a little quicker because they will know they

have got things under control right now. They are dominating the race.

You do not need to make a race faster than it have to be. What

Glover and Stanning have faster than it have to be. What

really useful is a quick start, quicker than the rest of the field

but it does not seem to take anything out of them. They are not

nailing the start to get ahead. They have a naturally quick start which

gives them the perfect platform to hit race pace. The race pace, the

crucial 1200 metres is where you grind the opposition down and you

just squeeze the life out of them. If you want to do an analogy it is

like water boarding them for five minutes. They are effectively

sucking the life out of them. It is hard when they are world Olympic

champions inching away with every stroke. Their play for using a quick

start and making the most of it. Helen Glover in the bow seat of the

British pair. A little call to keep the squeeze going. That has opened

up more water between the New Zealand two crew. Great Britain

comfortably clear water over New Zealand's Prendergast and Growler.

The big surprise here is that trap it and Scown from New Zealand one,

that is the main crew, they have been left, a dodgy five or six is

jokes off the start. -- five or six strokes off the start.

Look at the gap now which has opened up here between the Olympic and

world champions Great Britain, and third placed New Zealand. The yellow

vests from the New Zealand crew indicate they are current World Cup

leaders. The crucial thing to remember here is the under 23 World

leaders. The crucial thing to the World Championships. The New

leaders. The crucial thing to Zealand second crew is effectively

more race ready for their big race of the year. The crucial

more race ready for their big race looking ahead to Rio which all of

these girls will be, for the New Zealand under 23 younger boat to

beat their senior boat is a massive scalp. They will suddenly start

putting questions about whether the other New Zealand team should be the

Olympic boat or they should be. Every race they can do that, the

better. There is nothing worse than being beaten by somebody you train

with every day. Every day you go to the boat club and you have to look

at the people who beat you, especially if they are younger than

you and they should not beat you. Louise trap it in the bow seat and

Rebecca Scown in the other seat. 1500 metres down, 500 metres to go.

They have done enough in the middle 500 metre mark.

They have done enough in the middle of thousands, the Great Britain team

have, just to hold off a bit. Helen Glover, 27 years of age and Heather

Stanning, 29, from the Army rowing club. What a phenomenal Bond and

relationship and friendship these guys have. Robin Williams is the

main coach. Between the four of them and robin here is the main driving

here, this group of athletes are fantastic. They are but they will

not enjoy the New Zealand beat team following them. To have time taken

out of you by a crew which you should be beating, well, are beating

anyway, we'll hurt. From the comments Helen was making, they want

to make sure they move away in the four or 500. Every race they do and

they dominate, it sets them up well, not just for the World Championships

but for Rio. I think Helen Glover is making a lot more calls than usual

in the bow seat. Still, they are going on. It is a big race. It is

the final race before the World Championships. You have memories and

you want everyone to be a positive one, rather than negative. Coming up

to the line now. Helen Glover, Heather Stanning, completely

dominating the event all the way through this year. The New Zealand

under 23 crew coming in second and the main New Zealand crew into the

bronze medal position. It is lovely to see a smile on your

face. Yes, really pleased to get another medal and the gold. Did you

feel more comfortable today because I know it was your first race back

three weeks ago after some time? Yes, I am feeling fitter and fitter

every week. For us, it was about getting a race done. Heather has had

a cold. For us it was about coming in and getting the job done rather

than any fireworks or anything special. Helen, you had accrued to

push you. The Kiwi 's were on good form. We decided we would push as

much as we needed to do. It feels a sensible way of doing things. We do

like to come to Lucerne and use it as the last race before the World

Championships to try things and is sprint to the line which we did not

need to do too much today. Just holding them off was enough for

today. It is one of those difficult

situations then when everyone expects you to win the pressure is

greater and when you do not, people will start saying, I am not sure

about this. Is greater and when you do not, people will start saying, I

am not sure about this. Isn't that will still be happy with their

performance. It always starts getting uncomfortable, they are the

target. They are the ones to beat so people will track you. What Helen

has already commented is varies suddenly a new crew that nobody

knows about and that is a very freeing moment, when you come on as

the new young guns and no one knows what you're capable of that is when

you can do some amazing performances. Helen and Heather will

counter that. Isn't an unbeaten record in any sport sometimes an

albatross? It depends. I think given the choice, athletes would like an

unbeaten record. You would take that ever being beaten regularly. But

what you don't want to do is start becoming a pressure. When people are

counting how many races you have gone without a loss, people wonder

if it will be the one you lose out on. What they cannot let to happen

is that become a focus. With Robin Williams to coach them, he has got a

cool head on his shoulders. He understands as well. Experienced

athletes will carry that burden and not see it as a problem. Summon who

has missed out is Polly Swan. She is now in the women's eight.

The final of the women's eight. Great Britain in lane three,

well-positioned. Canada for them will be the team to watch, in lane

four. The Australians have gone off quickly. Romania as well. Canada in

lane four. So important for the British eight to track them down.

Lesley Thompson, in the cox seat, that upright as ocean, as she has

today, as she had back in 1992, when she coxed the Canadians to the

Olympic gold medal. A real stalwart in Canadian remains rowing, and this

British crew will look to her to get them down the track. Doing what they

have done before, Canada, Clearwater at the halfway mark. Great Britain

now just sneaking into the silver medal position. Just a couple of

feet between Germany and Great Britain. Through this year, Great

Britain have beaten the Germans. So, the Germans have raised their

game in this final World Cup regatta, taking on Great Britain

here. And look at Romania, in lane five. They cannot be discounted,

either, the world silver medallists from last year, Romania. We are well

and truly into the third 500 now, and they will have the knowledge of

racing the eights, which is a different game from the smaller

boats. JAMES CRACKNELL: The Canadians are

racing well. The British, if they can catch Romania, the Netherlands

and Germany and beat them, and can catch Romania, the Netherlands

over, then they can look back and think it has been a good weekend's

racing. They cannot let it slip now. The Germans have had a decent

last minute or so, but that is it. Do not let them go any further,

start inching away from them, and don't give Romania or Holland a

sniff. That way you are building yourself up Tom are giving yourself

a nice platform for the World Championships. It looks very, very

good for Great Britain. They are coming on strong, I fancy them for

silver. Leading the British crew through 1500 metres, Caragh

McMurtry. But watch out for Romania, they are now the threat for the

British in the last quarter. And here come Romania. Both of the

crews, Great Britain, a quarter of a length over Germany. Germany gave it

all they could over that third five, and now the British have got to

contend with Romania. Out of your picture, Canada have

contend with Romania. Out of your Romanians have got a proud history

in the women's eight. They were a dominant force in the 1990s and the

early 2000s. But the British have placed it well, and here is where

they need to start showing their class and belief, so that they can

be at the sharp end of the field, the World Championships.

GARRY HERBERT: It is looking as though great return are just ahead,

but this is going to go all the way to the line. A last push coming on

from Romania, just throwing their boat a couple of feet ahead of the

British. The British are hanging on! That is good blade work from

Romania, they have got the experience and history in this

event, to get the best out of themselves. I would want to make

sure you do not let them sneak through now. So, up to the line,

Canada, by Clearwater. And the silver medal going to Romania, by

two or three feet, if that. Great Britain will be disappointed with

the bronze medal. Next to the inside of the boathouse

here at Twickenham Rowing Club. James is on the committee here. Why

on earth is Twickenham why is it on a private island? The land was given

to us in the eight teams 60s by the owner of this piece of land, who

liked his rowing. It has been in trust ever since, which is why it

has never been developed or anything, because it is only allowed

to be a rowing club. It is an extraordinary place, isn't it? Yes,

we have got some interesting characters, two Bayliss, who did the

clockwork radio, who lives here, lots of characters. And it is a

vibrant place, because you have got lots of members? About 450, which

makes us one of the largest rowing clubs in the country. Is this the

original building? Yes, it is, which is falling to pieces. But we built

the new area all around it, so we could preserve it. How many boats

have you got in here? About 35 private racks and 55 club boats, so

quite a fleet to look after. And we have a waiting list as well. We need

more space, but we have not got any more space, that is the problem.

Lovely to meet you and thank you for being such great hosts today. Let's

go back to Lucerne to see a couple more races.

Into the last quarter of this final of the men's lightweight double

sculls. Great Britain currently back in fifth having come up from sixth,

where they were at the halfway mark, they are off the pace, which is

being set by the French. The French coming under pressure in the third

500 from the Italians, who themselves were back towards the

back, but they are now starting to slow up again. The French,

undefeated throughout this year. There was concern whether they would

perform well, because they won at Henley in a tight race against a

heavyweight British crew. But now, the French have got open water, with

250 remaining. It is now all about holding on for the Italians, as the

heads go down for the last 25 painful strokes. The Italians can be

really proud of themselves, because they are doing something which was

not expected of them. And it is amazing how your body can find inner

strength in this situation. You are in a situation where you have got a

silver medal and nobody can take it off you, and your body will hold on

for the last 200 metres, and they have given themselves the chance to

do that, the Italians, so fair play. Up to the line come France. The

Italians holding on, half a length, over Norway, the world champions,

who today have to settle for the bronze medal. And Great Britain now

coming through in fifth position. Through 1500, it is Croatia from

Great Britain. The British crew have worked so hard. Croatia have got

clear water. And the Australians in lane two, and the Lithuanians. It is

now between Australia, Lithuania and Great Britain for that final two

spots on the podium. The Aussies have gone, and they have gone early.

The bowels of the Aussie boat in lane two. They are in to the silver

medal position. The race is now between Lithuania and Great Britain

for the bronze. But it looks like the Lithuanians are easing ahead. It

is now the last 500, and into the last 200, these are such important

strokes. The only important stroke which matters is the last one. The

problem is that the Aussies have gone, and they have pasted very

well. The Lithuanians have been in form all season. The Brits are going

to have a tough job to get on the podium. So, Croatia coming up to the

line, easily done in the end. Great Britain coming in in fourth

position. Look at the difference there. The Austrian getting the

bronze medal. The Czech Republic Olympic champion in fourth. And it

is fifth today for Victoria Thornley from Great Britain. One other race

we must mention is the men's single sculls, won as usual by the

remarkable Drysdale from New Zealand. Even more remarkable, what

happened earlier in the race. One moment, the Lithuanian was right in

contention, and the next, he wasn't, after a capsized of epic

proportions in a World Cup regatta. On now to one of the most

progressive boats in the Great Britain team, the men's quad.

Victorious at Aiguebelette, and also at Henley last week. For one of

their quartet, Sam Townsend, success has been a long time coming.

Pretty nice to win, we have not always had it that way. We are

growing in confidence all the time, and another win I do not think will

do us any harm at all. I think it says a lot about where we are trying

to get to, when we are disappointed with a silver medal at the Europeans

just I think it is fair to say that when we saw a picture afterwards of

us on the podium, we were really disappointed with that. We have set

ourselves high standards this year, and we hope it will always come

off, but it might not always, and we need to learn from that. We are the

same crew now for coming up to two years, and I think there is a lot to

be said for that. You start to learn about each other, how you react.

That is definitely a plus. I am quite cautious, I always want to

make sure everything is right. Graham is probably a lot more

outwardly confident than all three of us. Charles is inwardly quite

confident, and Pete, he respects the opposition, but he is a bit of a

terrier when it comes to racing. There are differences, but we seem

to gel very well as a crew, which is always helpful. When I first started

rolling, there really was not a lot going on in the sculling. The guys

went to Athens and I think they were 12th. It was a really big deal that

they qualified the boat, as it is for any Olympic rings, but it has

taken a long time to start building it through. In 2007, we were 15th in

Munich, we did not qualify. We have had a lot of disappointment in the

quads, it is a tough field to break into. And it has taken the best part

of 10-12 is for us to finally cracked through, and it is finally

starting to get there. But it is hard when you do not have a history

in something, it is harder to think, can we actually do it? We have had

amazing coxless fours for a long time. Hopefully this will not be a

peak which ends in a trough again, it will keep going.

GARRY HERBERT: Here we go, the journey continues in the final of

the men's quadruple sculls here at Lucerne. USA in lane one.

The first time we are seeing the American crew. All of the other

crews Great Britain have beaten during this season. So it is every

opportunity now for the British quadruple sculls to get on the top

of the podium here at Lucerne. It is a big ask, but Peter Lambert in the

stroke seat knows what he has got to do. They have had a phenomenal

season this year. History makers at the World Championships last year,

the first time a British quad has got a medal. That has given them all

the confidence for the winter, and indeed for this regatta season.

JAMES CRACKNELL: You mention that they are history makers, and on

their left, the Germans, is a crew with history. That nation has

history in this event. There is a lot of pride in German or correct

sculling, that they have been multiple world champions and Olympic

medallists over the last two decades, and they will not want to

give it up to the young upstarts from Britain. A little bit of a

breeze, but nothing to concerned the crews. Coming up to 500 now come and

buy a couple of feet, it is Germany over Poland. Great Britain currently

in fourth position. That is OK. What is imperative now, in the next 100,

is that the British quad really comes into a long rhythm. They have

to get length, they have to be efficient in this second 500. It is

an easy cruising speed, nothing is easy, but it is a natural speed

which they will need, because that will give them the platform. At the

they are starting to injure back on the Germans, and the Germans have

been overtaken by the Estonians. -- two inch back. Ideally they would

want to be inching ahead, but they are coming back into it. The third

500 is a tough part of the race, and you could well see a blanket

covering Germany, Estonia and us. Estonia have been beaten by Great

Britain then and in this season. They lead the British by about a

third of the length. The Polish rhythm looks good. They have a

history in this event. It is not the same guys who won the Olympics in

Beijing. Coming up to the halfway mark. We will see some big push is

coming up here. Great Britain move into third position. They have moved

from fourth to third. That is OK for the second 500. The Germans have

gone from first to fourth. I think the Germans could be out of it. The

Polish closest to us. A big push. They caught a massive push through

the halfway mark here. Now look how easy Great Britain are moving. They

make it look easy. They have got a very sustainable rhythm. It is all

about platforms now. They will have a plan. The third quarter of the

race is when it is really tough. The polls have put themselves in a good

position. The US are doing well on the far side. The reality is, it

will be between written and Estonia. As good as a Regatta the British

have had, having come third As good as a Regatta the British

World Championships, you do not want to lose to the Estonians. Peter

Lambert, Charles Cousins, sand house and -- Sam tells them from Reading

University and Graeme Thomas in the bowels. -- bows.

Great guys here. Now we need a great last 500 metres. Great Britain move

into second position. It is all about poise. Now they will know how

much sprint they have got. They will start to move. Data nearly a second

out of this stony and is in the third 500. -- they took nearly a

out of this stony and is in the second out of the Estonians. There

is pain written all over the Estonian three-man faces. They are

starting to move into first place. Up it goes from Peter Lambert in the

/seat. Estonia will not roll over. We have got this. One last push from

Peter Lambert. They are going through now by effort, two feet,

three feet. The British team have got to keep their heads up. Graeme

Thomas is hanging on for dear life. The momentum they feel now as they

come into first place. Nail it, win by not little bit, win by as much as

you can. Up to the line here. Great Britain now absolutely perfectly

timed. A gold medal for them over Estonia. The USA sneaking in with

the bronze. If you want to see how to execute a race from the very

first stroke to the last, you will not get a better demonstration than

the Great Britain's men's Drupal scull. -- quadruple sculls.

The first win at Aiguebelette must have been great. We have really

stepped up. One thing we have not had is consistency so it is

brilliant to come back with another win here and last year, we just

missed out on the medals so to leave here with a gold, we are really

happy, we are over the moon. We have still got work to do. There is no

kidding else. What is making the difference to this crew? We just

have a lot of confidence in what we are doing and trying to do. It is a

very simple plan. We executed it well today. We hit something as soon

as we went through the 750 and I was confident from there that we would

start moving to the front which obviously we did. Later than I would

have liked but we got there in the end.

If we are expecting victories from the men's four and the women's pair,

did that come out of the blue or did you think there was a chance of that

happening? No, I think the men's squad, absolutely, it was there for

the taking. They did when it clearly. Maybe not the style I

expected. There was an absolutely phenomenal second half. The last 500

blew the opposition apart. They will feel the same, they can do that from

the very beginning. In terms of how that crew has progressed, from the

last three or four months, it is a substantial improvement, isn't it?

Absolutely transformed. The potential is there. We saw it at the

World Championships, it is very strong. From the race we have just

seen, they expected to win. When you find yourself down the middle of the

pack and you are not where you want to be, if you expect to win and you

believe you should be winning, you will find anything it takes to get

right through the pack and win. Subconsciously otherwise use it in

the pack for longer but now they see themselves as winners which is

great. From a positive performance from men's heavyweight crew, let's

see how the lightweight ones got on. The men's light four underway.

France in one, the Danes traditionally have

dominated this, not the Olympic champions.

They have not had it all their own way. They were beaten by New Zealand

in their semifinal. The Danes, James, they are up there, they are

onto their race and they take it through. The best thing for the

British is they are next to Denmark and New Zealand. They are in a

classy sandwich. The Danes may not have had the best season and a half

since the Olympics, but what they do have is a really fast 75%. If the

Brits coming sure they live with the Danes, they will be in the mix come

the sharp end of the race. New Zealand are not only in the Best

Lane, Lane four, they have also got the other semi winners the Brits and

then the Australians on the other side so they will be enjoying their

battle as well. Just coming up to 500 metres. Great Britain are back

in fourth position. That is OK. We're now in the second five. The

crews will start to ease into their rhythm. But not Denmark, they must

stay up on 3839 strokes per minute. The rain is starting to come down.

There is Great Britain, The rain is starting to come down.

Aiguebelette, the World Cup three weeks back. Chris Bartley, the

Chambers Brothers and Mark Aldred. The Danish rhythm is they go off

flat out and stay flat out. If The Danish rhythm is they go off

can match it, good on you. The danger for the Brits is as they are

three quarters of a length down on the two crews either side of them,

you can see that the referral vision of all four of the guys. They need

to have strong belief in the second half of the race now. They cannot

see the Danes or the Kiwis out of the corner of their eyes. They will

have to tough it out on their own. This is where they need to dig in

and digging even before halfway. Great Britain are in danger

territory as we move towards the halfway mark. On their right,

Denmark, the world champions, they to lead. It is getting tight now

because here come New Zealand on the halfway mark, just by an inch or not

any more. Great Britain moving up from fourth into third place. That

is OK. They are not racing for bronze here. They will now look to

move on in this third 500. Look at the all-black strip of New Zealand.

They beat the Danes in their semifinal. Here they are, stepping

up again. The British are not racing for bronze. If they let their

mindset switch from racing New Zealand and Denmark, to picking off

Australia and Italy, that is the hardest thing, coming third. They

cannot let their objective change, just because they are down on these

crews. They can gain a length over the next thousand. They have got

three minutes of tough racing. Don't change your objective of saying, we

are going to win, to saying, we will settle for third. Peter Taylor is

making the calls in the all-black boat. James Hunter is in the bow

seat. New Zealand are starting to use away. -- starting to ease away.

The last five spread the crews out. New Zealand by a length over the

world champions, Denmark in second place, Great Britain fighting for

that length of clear water to push them into bronze position. They are

holding bronze right now. We are in the last quarter. The race and the

sprints will still go up. Denmark have got nowhere to go. Denmark have

lost ground on the Brits in the last 500 metres. The Brits, the first

thing they have got to do is don't start racing for bronze. Say, we are

going to pick of the Danes. That will give a good platform to get

back on terms with the Kiwis. Great accuracy as the blade goes into the

water from New Zealand. The Italians, the second boat here.

water from New Zealand. The here comes Great Britain. Chris

Bartley has done this plenty of times before. Up go Great Britain,

they are on 40 strokes per minute. They are pushing hard. It is

unlikely for them to catch Denmark, the world champions in Lane number

two. New Zealand just stretching out again. They know race done, job well

done, as they head off, for their training camp. Coming up to the

line, the last five strokes. It is two in a row in this regatta for

these World Championships. New Zealand, gold, Denmark the world

champions, silver and Great Britain coming in bronze medal position.

They will be disappointed but that is a good thing for them to be

disappointed with that bronze. The Italians are world champions in

Lane one. Image and Walsh and Cap Copeland from Great Britain or in

Lane number three. -- image in Walsh and Kat Copeland. Great Britain will

no it will be a massive, massive scalp if they can take the Italians

here now. The early leaders are Poland closest

to us. I would not expect the Polish to be leading come the sharp end,

the business end of this final. There might be some illness or the

Italians recovering from something in the last couple of weeks, because

for the world champions to be dropped at half the length, 200

metres, that is not normal for the world champions. They are not on

form. The Swedish pair in Lane number one. 37 strokes per minute.

Still going at it somewhat. They would go off at about north of 40

strokes per minute and then starting to come down. You can see Great

Britain settling into 36, to come down. You can see Great

Britain settling into 35. You would expect 35 for the middle part of

this race. Coming up to the first time in mark. The Italians, the

world champions in Lane number two, something is going wrong here. They

have never been dropped by so much. They are back in fifth position at

the time in point. And they did not win their semi yesterday. What is

happening now is all the other crews are seeing a missed opportunity, not

just to win the race, but to beat the world champions as well. They

will make more of themselves and make the Italians question it. What

surprises me is how well the Swedes have gone. They have given

themselves a chance of being right in the mix, and for the British, it

is fine winning your semi, you have to carry that form on, and win a

medal. The Italians now just getting a bit of speed, as we go through

750. Great Britain's Imogen Walsh and Catherine Copeland, almost just

contained, really. Not too worried about the Australians in lane four.

But they are creeping back on the Swedish pair, in lane one. The

Australians have got a good Swedish pair, in lane one. The

Australians have rhythm at the moment, they are taking half an inch

every stroke out of the British, the British need to check that

Australian movement. Because every little movement the Australians make

is fuelling them with confidence. I agree with you, I think the Swedes

will come back into the mix, but it could well be a battle between

Australia and Great Britain. So, the Brits do not want to give the

Aussies anything. At the halfway mark in this final of the

lightweight women's double sculls, here on the Lake of the gods. And

from the halfway point, Sweden leading, Great Britain now in a

tussle with Australia. The Italians, still struggling. The Italians are

going to struggle here to find anything, because they are on the

back foot. All of the energy they are using is just to get them into

the race here. But at the moment, are using is just to get them into

the race here. the momentum going with Great Britain, as well as the

Australian pair. It is now the Australians moving an inch per

stroke. I think these will be the two who claim gold and silver. The

Italians looked like they have had a strong middle part of the race. And

the Swedes could come back and challenge as well. Imogen Walsh, 30

years of age, from London Rowing Club. Kat Copeland took last year

off, but has come back. She was the top lightweight single sculls roller

at the trials earlier this year, testament to the athlete that she

did. This is where the Olympic champion, Catherine Copeland, in the

stroke seat, really have to draw on that experience. Both to be

flustered by the fact that Sweden were leading them at one point. That

has gone, they have come back on that.

JAMES CRACKNELL: I think they have got the measure of the Aussies now.

GARRY HERBERT: A great third 500 for Walsh and Kat Copeland. Australia

are now struggling to hang on to the bronze medal position. It will be a

big 500 for them to stay on the podium. I think it is going to be

Britain, Australia and Italy. The Italians may not be having the best

weekend overall, but they have shown pride in their pedigree, of having

won the World Championships and been unbeaten this year. I think that

will tell on the Swedish. Italy, a couple of feet down from the bronze

position. Out in front, Kat Copeland, the Olympic champion,

showing great style. Yes, they have cracked the Aussies. We have still

got 25 strokes remaining. Great Britain doing well, holding it

nicely, but here come the world champions, Milani and Sancassani.

Well, nothing like leaving it to the last minute. Millpond conditions

here, but the race has been pushed on. Kat Copeland has responded, and

Great Britain have found another gear. But here is the race for the

silver medal position. If the Aussies get beaten by the Italians,

that is a major setback ahead of the World Championships. They were so

far ahead at 1000 metres. The belief that the Italians will get if they

can claim silver will be immense. that the Italians will get if they

The Canadians also pushing to the line, but out in front, Great

Britain get the gold medal. Australia get the silver, and almost

throwing the boat over the line, Canada, sneaking in over the last

100 metres to get the bronze. The Italians will be disappointed. But a

class act, Imogen Walsh and Catherine Copeland, finishing the

2014 World Cup in style. Imaging, just tell us about the last 500

metres. It was you and Australia, stroke for stroke? Yes, we are

pretty confident in our boat, and we try to stay in our rhythm, and

actually, when we crossed the finish line, Kat was asking where we have

finished! You are certainly getting to 500 metres quicker than you were

in the first part of the season? Desk, we have been together longer,

and we are more efficient. It is having the speed without killing

ourselves. We said before the race, it is who is first to 2000 metres,

it does not matter who is first to 500 metres, it is a two kilometre

race. So, a fourth gold medal, how about that? Another Amazing Grace

will stop a bit like the men's quad, it was in the mix. We have seen Kat

and Imogen progressing through the whole summer. They are looking

really good now. And they won why a comfortable margin in the end, so it

was a great race for them. When you get to 500 metres from the end, and

you are in the mix, how do you know that you have got more inside them

they have? It can be accommodation of things. You will know physically

how you are feeling, you will know how smoothly the boat is moving just

we speak about going through the gears, you will know if you have got

more to give, that gives you confidence. Somebody in the boat

will be looking at the opposition, and often you can tell, they are at

the absolute maximum, whereas you might feel you have got

the absolute maximum, whereas you might more to give. And there is the

momentum, when you start moving away from the field, you live off that

momentum, and it becomes easier and easier, as you drop the field behind

you. If the field is fighting for those other medals, there is a

panic, whereas if you can just move out, then it becomes fun. If we

leave Katherine Grainger to one side for a moment, back in the last

century, somebody who competed with her was Rachel Wolff! Tellers what

she was like. That is a tricky one. She was always great fun, I have to

say. We had a lot of fun with water pistols and various things, and The

Spice Girls were always be on the agenda. Was she posh or sporty?

Probably sporty, actually, it has to be said. We have got a very

inexperienced crew going out here. We were hearing earlier on about how

buoyant this club is, with more than 400 members. With rowing clubs, you

need water, and you need space, so tell us how people like this have

been getting involved. We are lucky, we have a beautiful stretch of

water, with no other clubs on. It is a great place for people to learn.

We want to get as many people from many we are in touch with many local

schools, so we have 11-year-olds, right up to 16-year-olds, right up

to Masters programmes. I will not reveal their true ages, but some of

them are in their late 70s. But equally, we have some interesting

programmes, we have got a row to health programme, for people who

have suffered from cancer. Going all the way up to the Start programme,

so some of the athletes we have seen in Lucerne have been on the Start

programme. We have got a couple of athletes who have started on that

programme. When you mention Lucerne, with the World Championships coming

up in a few weeks, how much has international success been a

catalyst for people wanting to come and join your club? Obviously, the

Olympics had a huge impact, the next few days, we were inundated with

people who wanted to learn to Rome. It was a big step for the club,

because we are a voluntary club, run by members, for members. Afterwards

we started having to employ people because we were so inundated, and we

have to start paying some coaches and some rowing managers. We are

still very much voluntary-based. But it has had a fantastic impact. It is

a brilliant sport. What else would you rather do than be out on the

river? Not a lot. Going back to Lucerne, let's focus on the men's

pair. Coming through the 600 metre mark

now, that early start from the South African crews, both of them, as well

as the Italian crew, starting to feel the pain. We also have New

Zealand, Great Britain and Serbia, in lane six. They look laboured, but

they have got some speed here. If you look along the lines, Serbia in

second place, but as James was saying, the afterburner coming on.

The all-black strip, New Zealand, in the middle of the picture, taking

with them Great Britain. Sometimes, though, the 28-year-old in the

stroke seat, there is a question, how does he do it? He is not a huge

guy, but his ability to move boats is incredible. He has got three

things which are incredibly useful in any endurance sport. He is

strong, incredibly strong, and he is light, and he rose well. If you have

those three things in your locker, you will be very, very hard to beat.

And crucially, they do not extend themselves in the early minutes,

they have not gone into oxygen debt like the Italians and South

Africans, who are now paying the price. The British work level with

the New Zealand is New Zealanders, but they have not put themselves in

oxygen debt. And they have got a good chance of getting that silver

medal. Not an awful lot being said in the New Zealand crow. They Hamish

Bond, just one word, the boat moves on. Look how easy it is. They are

still racing hard, I would say that James Foden and Matt Langridge, they

are in a scrap for the silver medal. The Italians are on the far side,

they were out in that first 500, but the middle thousands of this race

has all been about Eric Marie and Hamish Bond. I will be disappointed

if Great Britain do not come second from here. The Italians should not

catch them because they have put themselves in oxygen debt. Matt is a

phenomenal athlete, he just needs to get his racing head on. Serbia

qualified third from their semifinal, which is why they are in

the outside lane. New Zealand have gone, but second has not gone. Look

at the rate. The gap is in credible between New Zealand... In the middle

1000, they have put a phenomenal afterburner on, and they are still

going with the rate! It is New Zealand clear, and then Serbia and

Great Britain in for the silver medal. The Italians, the angle is a

bit off, Italy should be one leg behind here. The New Zealanders, the

racing, for them, is easier than the training. Because they

racing, for them, is easier than the standards up so high in training,

they do not have to bother in the race. They are performing at a

different level. But this is the real race, the Serbians, not looking

so relaxed. Here is Langridge, go on, son, push those legs! It is a

new combination for the British, but they can start claiming that second

place, which would be great, leading into the World Championships. Two

psychologically phenomenally strong athletes here. When they come out,

let's hope they have got the bounds ahead of Serbia. They have got the

rate up. Out in the distance, paddling away, inside ten strokes or

so, New Zealand making it easy. The problem is, the British pair may be

getting some bounce off the water of the Kiwis, they are so far ahead.

Here comes Great Britain. That is a nice result, silver for Great

Britain. Bronze for Serbia. A job well done. Forget the distance

between the silver and gold, because the New Zealand crew of Murray and

Bond are just exceptional. But Matt Langridge and James Foad have done

very well. If you put that New Zealand crew to one side, how good a

performance was that from Great Britain? It was fantastic. It is

still a competitive event, even though the Kiwi pair have almost

created the gold medal as an entity in its own right. Nobody else is

getting near. But there is this phenomenal race for the silver

medal, which becomes the new gold. The British pair have not been

together long, they have been doing different things all season. And it

is a big win for them, it really is. What is interesting is what will

happen next. How much does their performance highlight what you said

at the start of the programme, about how competitive the battle is for

places in some of the boats? It proves that all the places will be

key. The fact that the fours become the top boat and the pairs become

the finger at the moment. And yet, the guys at this regatta and the

last World Cup have started getting medals. They will become the feeder

system into the eights or will they be on the podium? You mentioned the

eighth. Let's see them in action. But before then we can focus on the

guy at the front to set the tempo. He is very important.

We have made history in the men's's eight at the World Championships!

I have always been used to being the underdog. Last year was a real fast

track year for me. You have to learn how to deal with it and it seems to

be working. My mentality has always been head down, work hard sort of

attitude. Sometimes that can lead you into quite a dark place,

especially when it is over the winter. You have to be more

positive. If I get a bit of anxiety, stress, it comes in, my performance

suffers. I am constantly trying to be relaxed. Obviously, everyone's

aim is to make the top boat. I would like to be in the four, I think

everyone would. That is the top boat but I would like to do the best I

can, whoever that is with. A fantastic result for that new

combination and there is plenty more to come for Great Britain as we head

through the 2014 season. The new blood coming in, it is quite an

exciting project. We have guys who have never been on that stage

before. We are doing it as a pack, we are not doing it as individuals.

That is the thing about the eights. It is a big, moving project. It is

trying to change their minds that little bit. We are training away all

through the winter in pairs. Now we are back in the eights. It is about

trying to find that high pace with them. I think we are back in the

eights. It is about trying to find that high pace with them. I think

we'll I don't think our aim is achieved B team, is that everyone

knows how we do it, we are not a machine -- as a GB team. On the day

somebody could be built. You just have to get it together. You have to

hit it as hard as you can from the word go. That is not a secret.

They get away cleanly. Great Britain are in Lane two. Germany the Olympic

champions in Lane three, Russia in Lane four, Poland and five,

Australia in Lane and the six. The Germans are absolutely pounding it

off in the first 100. The Russians in Lane four going hard. Australia

have already been dumped in Lane number six. The Germans looked very

well drilled. If I'm honest, they don't look that powerful. The

Russians look powerful but not as well drilled. The British, they have

got power on-board but they are still finding their feet a unit.

Pete Reed, no is a bit knackered. Mo Sbihi just going through there.

All crews are still up there. Great Britain are currently third on the

speed. New Zealand and Australia are out of it. Who goes through in first

place? Germany, just. Great Britain in fourth. Traditionally, in the

men's eight, whoever goes through the 500 metre mark winds. Will that

raced turnaround on but? Germany just over Russia. The British now

going through the boys are in first position. The Germans, even though

it is half the eight which won the Olympics, they drain as a very close

eights group. They have a very homogenous tech week. -- technique.

The Russians are finding the uniform approach. The British crew will be

strong in the final third of the race. Easing out by almost a

strong in the final third of the of a length, the green boat. This is

strong in the final third of the what we would have expected. We are

coming towards the halfway mark. what we would have expected. We are

This is an absolute humdinger here, in the final of the men's eight at

Lucerne. Dare I say, the Russians are going to come through just

ahead, almost/full/? It is still Germany but it is now down to less

than a foot over Russia at the halfway mark. Great Britain moving

up into bronze medal position. Poland moving back from third into

fourth. But still the race is on. The polls of a quick at this stage

of the season. -- the Polish are very quick. The Russians, they will

be hungry to prove themselves all season. The Germans want to carry on

the pasta and pool party at Lake Como.

Big bad will such is the in /CT. He did a phenomenal job in the Olympics

in the men's pair, getting the bronze medal. They are starting to

stretch out. The Russians, the hard training is starting to pay off in

this third quarter of the race. They are really starting to hurt and they

enjoy it. Russia taking on Germany, Great Britain first, second and

third. Poland maintaining fourth position. We are now into the

business end, the crunch part of this blue ribbon event here at

Lucerne. Great Britain just sliding back off it here. The Germans, who

led to the 500 mark, they led to the halfway mark, they have taken it.

They were embarrassed that the 1500. The Russians dared to take them on

at 1500. Great Britain in the top left of your picture here.

Incredible stuff developing in the last 200. The Germans have shown

that their uniformity and self belief they have whereas the

Russians, it is not quite in-built. They are absolutely exhausted. That

is why the Germans have been able to pull through in the last quarter.

The disappointing thing is the Brits are now a length behind. 's stunning

stuff here from Germany in the closing stages. They are long, they

are fast, they are feeling pain but their heads are up here. The

Russians dared to take them on. Germany first, clear water over

Great Britain. Russia second and Great Britain getting the bronze

medal. They are clear of Poland. Their heads go down in the British

crew. Their heads are well and truly up in the Germans. Look how much it

has taken out of it. That is a race to the line.

That is it from this year's World Cup campaign but there is still one

event to come, the biggest of them all, the World Championships in

Amsterdam, Holland. There is coverage on the red button and BBC

Two, live both days of that weekend. Before that, plenty more live sport

here on the BBC across all platforms.

The week after that, all roads lead to Scotland.

That man there is a Commonwealth gold medallist. He gets it! Ian

Thorpe is getting a standing ovation from this crowd. That was

magnificent. Chris got a Commonwealth gold! It was so close!

A pretty dramatic men's eight rounding off an intriguing regatta.

Now all roads lead to the Netherlands. Overall it has been an

impressive weekend. Four strong gold medals and that is a pretty good

place to be. There has always been some disappointments. Some crews are

further down than they would like to be. It is the third World Cup for

the Great Britain crews who have done the European Championships and

two world cups. It is a fatigued part of the year. We always say

that. They have some tough training camps ahead. I think we all expect

to see improvements and then we will see what everyone does by Amsterdam.

There are certain crews that you would think barring major issues are

very strong odds-on favourites to win the Golden Amsterdam?

Absolutely. Right now, the men's four. The women's parents well. They

had a bit more of a challenge than we have seen now. The men's what I

think could face tough opposition but are now getting confident. The

women's lightweight double, I think they have had an impressive race

today. But as four gold medals that you could not count on but

realistically see in the world Championships. Just one final

thought, who are still to come in who could shake up the order that we

have seen in Lucerne? There is nobody really who hasn't come in yet

but what we have seniors some of the countries have dipped in and out.

There are some countries which have not got finalised crews yet. They

could have some surprising combinations we have not seen yet.

And we have also got quite a few weeks before the World Championships

now and there is always a hesitation of we do not know who is doing what

where and how. There will be some new things to see in Amsterdam but

from the British point of view you do not worry about that, you do not

worry about who will turn up and how good they will be. You worry about

you and your boat. That is it from here at Twickenham rowing club. The

next stop for us and hopefully for you, is Holland. We will see you for

that. Goodbye. We have made history in the men's

eight at the World Championships! Helen Glover will add World

Championship gold to the Olympic gold-medal she won.