Episode 1 Rowing: World Championships

Here comes Kelly Holmes. On the crowd are on their feet. What a

Great Britain get the gold medal! Kelly Holmes for Great Britain,

what a performance! Absolutely JOHN INVERDALE: How many world

sporting titles can you name that are one in a setting like this.

Welcome to Bled in Slovenia, home of sumptuous lakes and forests and

close to the borders of Italy and Austria and home to a team of

British athletes who, in the next 12 months, could define their lives.

Every country has peaked for these world championships and it is a

chance to test ourselves against the rest of the world. We are all

desperate to be world champions. We have put a lot of hard work in.

When I looked back, I wanted our I gave it my best shot. We have a big

job to do. Winning is definitely what it is about. -- I want to know

I gave it my best shot. It is more special before London. It is very

special to fill you will be part of that. So many people are talking

about it already. I have started thinking about the Olympics.

Nothing wrong with that. London is everywhere. He can't help but feel

it is closer than it ever is before and bigger than it has been before.

There is pressure and there is business to be done. It is where

everybody is on top form. Steven Redgrave, Matthew Pinsent, the

mission accomplished! It is gold! Great Britain are the Olympic

champions! Gold medal, Great Britain, wonderful! The Olympic

final, that is the only thing that matters. I won't be there for any

other reason other than to win not gold. -- that gold.

This is a truly amazing place. These castles are a 1,000 years old.

It was an outward banding Makah force -- bikers and a ski resort,

none of which is a concern for the rowing team, who want to view this

as an essential stop -- stepping stone for London 2012. Next she

will be Katherine Grainger's moment of truth. After three Olympic

silvers, she desperately wants gold. But before that, there is another

world title to Secure. Hodge and Peter Reed have a Olympic golds

from Beijing but that was part of the coxless four. Here, they have

the challenge of a lifetime against the seemingly unbeatable New

Zealanders. Greg Searle has an Olympic gold medal but that was 19

years ago in Barcelona. His age really no barrier and that 40 years

old, could he win another gold? It is the 4th time the

championships have been held in Bled, the last time was in 1989

when Steve Redgrave won two gold medals of his reign -- record-

breaking five. You were playing old steed in those days. Yes, great

regatta, so picturesque, not great memories for me here, but a great

place. From the British point of view, if the public have been

following the World Cup regattas through the summer, they will think

all we have to do is turn up and win gold here. There is certainly

no complacency from the British team. The World Cup is very

important but not all of the nations are there, because all

three World Cup races are in Europe. Not all of the other continents

actually come. So this is the first time that all of the contenders for

the Olympics are here. It is the biggest event of the year and it is

what everyone has been building up to. Maybe from the public point of

view, they will think we were one lots of medals, which I think we

will, but there is no complacency - - we will win. From an Olympic

perspective, all of these races are centred on a Olympic qualification.

Again, qualification is very important. The team is very strong.

14 Olympic events, most of them are 11 to qualify, so it is only the

last place in the B final that doesn't qualify. The worst one is

the Women's eight, only five qualifiers. So six boats in the

final. Someone is going to come last in that final and the

disappointment of coming last is also the disappointment of not

qualifying for the Games, and they will have to go to a qualifying

regatta next year which is only four weeks away from the Games

itself. If we start with the first raised, the women's pair, there is

a great Olympics story, from somebody who three years ago

watched Beijing on telly and next year will actually be competing,

all things being equal. Yes, Helen Glover, came through the sporting

giants. She saw the programme and thought she would give it a go and

is now a contender for medals. She won a silver medal at the World

Championships last year and has a very good chance of winning gold

next year. And she has a really good story to tell.

What a 10 months it has been for Helen Glover and Heather Stanning.

Holding on for a well deserved Holding on for a well deserved

silver medal. Sell that the last World Championships. -- silver at.

Gold at the World Cup in Munich. And very good race by the British

race to the line. The British group had held off. They have held off

the New Zealand. They go into these championships with being one of the

championships with being one of the favourites for glory.

Three years after learning to Road, here you are on the eve of the

World Championships, one of the favourites. You must ensure cells

that the progression you have made. I do a little bit, and I look back

and it seems like it has happened very quickly. -- you much pinch

yourself. When I think about individual days and weeks and

months, and I have worked very hard. I am also very pleased with the

justification of a lot of hard work. So a spectacular rise to prominence

for the former PE teacher Helen Glover and the army officer Heather

Stanning, who complement each other well to form a potent combination.

Off the water, I am really lucky, she organises me really well. When

we get on the water, I have sat behind her, so why do the calling

and we sort of switch roles and I tell her what to do -- I do.

have our own roles in the boat and I like having my job and Helen

having her job. We fall into them very well. By have complete trust

that at 1,900 metres in a race, we are both exhausted and need to find

another gear, I will call and she will do it. With the roles firmly

established, the British pair got the better of the Kiwis in Lucerne,

the first time they had both raced since the World Championships.

Having not been at Hamburg, we went to Lucerne and there were targets

we wanted to achieve. I think we did them. We also came away with

things we can improve. Having beaten them was a big tick in the

box, but it at the same time, the process is more important. That

victory and the fastest qualification for the final in Bled

me is the expectation on the British pair is far different to

what it was last year -- means. Last year, we were pretty much the

underdogs, the unknowns, and we knew we were fast, but nobody in

the world and bid. -- bid. We were quietly confident and I would like

to think we are still like that. We have a confident feel about the

boat. Do you visualise the race and allow yourself the feeling of what

it would be like being world champions? I think about it but I

don't dwell on it. You have got to go through the processes of

thinking about all the things that might happen and then come back to

reality and go, right, this is what I have got to do to achieve it.

is great to have had a consistent and exciting season and we are

looking forward to racing. There is women's coxless pair. They are down

They are looking to go one better than the silver medal they won last

year at the World Championships. A new year, a crew that has moved on

in huge amount of confidence. Helen Glover and Heather Stanning, they

now number three. This is the final of the women's pair, and it is

going to be a fantastic race. South Africa in one, Australia in two.

Great Britain in three, winners of the first semi-final. New Zealand

won the other semi-final to book their place in this final, they are

in four. China in five and Romania in lane number six. It is a fairy

tale that is a long way away from the finish. A year before the

Olympic Games in London, accrue that was put together any surely as

a spare pair -- a crew. They have found a combination and an ability

to be so quick, so fast. We are seeing that now as Great Britain,

in the early stages, lane three on the right up your picture, leading

by about three-quarters of a length. Going from 5th in the trials last

year, they moved right the way through into that silver medal

position. Helen Glover had only been rowing for a year before that,

she has improved extraordinarily. She has gone from being fit in the

women's pair trials last year to an Olympic place, probably at at the

end of this year -- 5th. This is a Stanning rate, they are so mature,

they are long, relaxed and technically, they miss nothing --

stunning. Rob Williams has taken them on as a coach this year and

really moved them up a gear. They just know how to race. They are

wonderfully in tune with each other. Helen Glover, Heather Stanning, a

bit of a wobble there, but that is more to do with the water. 1,000,

starting to pop along here, but they are dealing with it. They

won't be fazed by that. We don't know, because they haven't had to

race in these conditions. Even the most experienced athletes get

caught up in difficult water. This will be quite crucial for them to

see if they can handle this rough water in the middle of the race

better than New Zealand. Zealand, the world champions, Great

Britain, the world silver medallists. We are the king at

Australia, they were 6th in the eight back in Beijing -- looking.

7th and 9th respectively at Lucerne, the final World Cup regatta of this

season. Australia are still trying to find that elusive combination

that Great Britain have in a Glover and Stanning. Typical here, you can

see New Zealand at 39 strokes per minute, they are pushing it away as

they do, a higher rate, but it doesn't make them go faster. The

British pair are three strokes per minute the lower, but because of

their length and their relaxation in the boat, they are going along

just as fast as New Zealand. That is a very good comparison between

those two boats. They go a lot more in hand when it comes to the

business end of the race. They will be able to move somewhere. New

Zealand will have nowhere to go. It will be interesting, because New

Zealand are moving and that high pressure is getting them back on

New Zealand coming back strongly at the halfway mark. Great Britain

have three-quarters of a length and are starting to move on. A call

from Helen Glover. And Great Britain have to respond to the high

rate of their New Zealand crew. New Zealand are the world champions and

this is developing into a sensational third 500 metres.

Britain are still at 33 strokes per minute compared to New Zealand at

38. That is a huge difference and New Zealand will have to pay for it

If they can keep their heads, keep their length, stay longer and build

on it in the last 500 metres, they should get home in front and that

At the moment, Great Britain had At the moment, Great Britain had

checked the Bush backed by New Zealand. The water is still quite

bouncy in the middle of the lake -- at the posh. It is a testament to

the personalities of this group from Great Britain that they are

still able to do with it -- deal with it. What they will need to do

is definitely find that final gear to step up, because the experience

that is New Zealand, they will push on hard. It is all about revenge

for New Zealand and right now, they are taking that away from Great

Britain. Great Britain has to react, you can hear the calls come in from

the New Zealand boat, they are really aggressive and pushing on.

Great Britain at the lower rate of striking are holding their own and

they really have to push on now. Enter the last 500 metres, luck

that the gap that has opened up between the two outstanding crews

of the women's coxless pair event. It is Great Britain and New Zealand.

Five seconds to Australia for the bronze. It is all about the gold

medal for Great Britain and still Helen Glover and Heather Stanning

after push on hard, because New Zealand refused to roll over --

have to. They refuse to hand over their gold medal that they won last

year. This is all about the experience here and the youth of

Great Britain. We are seeing a titanic battle. It is extraordinary

how they are maintaining this stroke rate for so long. They don't

seem to be paying for it. It is a very tough thing. Great Britain has

to react, they have to make their move. They are moving now. Pushing

up to 37 strokes per minute and have the entire Grandstand on their

feet here. The British contestant - - contingent are screaming their

heads off. New Zealand of the world champions, Great Britain are the

world champions from last year. Both crews are hunting a gold medal.

This will come down to the line. The water is still quite bouncy.

Great Britain appeasing ahead but it is only just and it is not over.

Again, New Zealand comeback. It will be a photo finish. It is so

hard to call their because into the line it was great Britain, over the

lined the, New Zealand came back. - - over the line. A sensational race.

We are hearing on the Grandstand Tannoy that New Zealand has been

awarded the gold medal, but it is getting closer and closer for Team

GB. No bad thing for them, because they will be so angry and hungry

now, they are so close to it, they led all the way. But how did New

Zealand keep that up all the way through? They are always at 37, 38

strokes a minute and the British pair, 33, 34, at one point. So you

can see exactly where they have got to make the present -- the

improvement. So New Zealand, it does not get any closer than that.

Successfully defend their gold medal from last year. Britain's

Is that congratulations or commiserations? A bit of both. We

came to win but we go away with a really close silver medal. It was a

really key race and it may be one that actually makes us take the

next jump for ourselves. People always talk about rowing races in

segments. At halfway, you were leading. What were your thoughts at

that stage? It was quite rough out there. I suppose I was not really

too aware how close they were then. I know we had done all right

starting. It was very rough and it was difficult to find a rhythm. It

was not like we were sat there going, this is ours! They really

kept coming. They just keep going. Great Britain, but the story is far

it has to be said. They know they have beaten New Zealand. They have

beaten them their back in Lucerne. They had the measure of them but it

It is always hard talking to people who have come second. How would you

view that performance? Certainly after the silver medal last year,

it was a surprise to everybody. Not everybody, some people in the team

knew they were going well in training but it was a certainly a

surprise to me. Their season this year has been outstanding. They had

a good, tough race with the Kiwis at Lucerne but managed to over all

of them by the end. They came here as favourites to win and they are

put it that they have not done that. But looking at the bigger picture,

I do not think that is too bad a result. They are now very, very

close to the world champions. They put themselves as favourites to win

the Olympics next year, I think. Here, just as they started racing,

a cross wind came up and pears that have not been in the same boat for

a long period of time, as a pair, you are in charge of balancing half

the boat so where you put your hands upsets the other person. In a

double scull it is different because each person has plates on

both sides. So that upset them. You could see every now and then they

were just missing the catch. That was due to the conditions. Another

ten months of rowing together, they will be absolutely fine. That is a

very upbeat prognosis. We move on now to a crew who would have given

anything to have made the final. They were women's champions 12

months ago and missed out on the final altogether here after what

they describe in their own words as a pretty shocking row earlier in

the week. So they found themselves in the B final and the key point

was they had to win this to ensure qualifications for the Olympics

the women's quadruple sculls and Britain have been laying three. --

Britain are in lane three. And what they line up. He would have guessed

that Great Britain, in lane number three, the world champions from

2010, would be languishing in this the final? Vietnam will be in the

top of your picture in lane 1, Romania in lane two. Here the world

champions, Great Britain, in lane three. Paul and Elaine four and the

Italians in lane five. What a task for Great Britain to regroup. --

Paul and in lane four. All of these crews battling for the Bournemouth

Olympic spot on offer here. A few weeks ago we would never have

guessed that Great Britain would be in this position. They were caught

napping in the opening heat when they were beaten by a fraction of a

second. Again in the repechage, caught just on the line. And just

now, they were the last to leave the box. They were sitting there

when everyone else was coming up for the second strip. That was

really extraordinary, when they are so hungry to get going, eager to

show what they are worth, they were late of the start. They have to win

this. Only one remaining place for the Olympics. They have to get it.

The world champions are now being led by Poland in a lane four. We

are in desperate territory for Great Britain. Not to underestimate,

they have had to really pull themselves back. They had a pretty

good season. There was second at Lucerne, the last final World Cup

regatta of the 2011 C Rees. The writing was on the wall when they

came third in the heat and they were really caught napping third in

the repechage, and the second opportunity to progress. Now the

fight is on. Their time was eight seconds faster so wide they are

languishing here, half a leg behind Poland, I do not know. There is

something uncomfortable in the boat that is not dynamic. They are not

really challenging Poland. They are going to have to make a mark pretty

soon because everything depends on this. Otherwise they will be in the

mix next year, in May, trying to qualify in Lucerne. They have it in

them. They should be able to move right through now. Poland are very

fast and looking good. You can see number three now, Great Britain,

just beginning to creep up the boat now as they apply the pressure,

coming up to 1,000 metres. You are witnessing an incredible sporting

story here with the 2011 World Rowing Championships at Bled.

Wonderful weather, glorious water, but all of that is to no avail.

Great Britain, through the 1,000 metres mark, have to win this race,

the B final of the women's quadruple sculls. The first final,

they were quite lazy in the 500m. The British now have a fight on

their hands because although Poland in lane four led them by half a

length at the 500m mark, gone. At the halfway mark, they are still

holding on, albeit narrowly, to that first position. 33 strokes per

minute. That is still quite low. Psychologically, to be the only

crew that is as of the finals and being world champions last year, it

is pretty hard to take. Pretty difficult for them. They have hit

the front, finally. They are getting Poland -- past Poland now.

Now they really ought to murder on as Poland fade away. 750m remaining

in this B final of the women's quadruple scull. The world

champions on your screen there, Great Britain, in lane number three.

They have finally hits the front here. Now they can just settled

back. It is all about pride in this particular race. No other regatta

in a World Championship is as important as this particular piece

final because it on it rests the one remaining qualification spot

for the Olympic Games in London next year. Poland are hanging on

very well. 500m remaining. The British crew have gone out to about

a quarter of a length but Poland is fighting back. Vietnam also in this

race, in a number one, way out the back. Romania in lane two, also way

at the back. Italy in lane five. It is all about to boats. Great

Britain leading there now to three- quarters of a length against Poland,

whose best performers this year it was eighth at Lucerne. What a farce.

A chasm of difference there between experience. Some had Britain has

not moved on and their coach is going to have to work very hard at

keeping them together. -- somehow. The Olympic silver medallists come

back into the grip for winter training and they will probably

look at reforming this squad. In the last 500m they are now opening

up and doing what they should have done from the outset. Poland are

still there. The last 200m. Great Britain's Melanie Wilson, Beth

Rodford, Andy Burnham, -- Andrea Vernon, Debbie Flood. Inside 100m

now. It is a moment of individual pride for the screw. They have now

secured that all important boat. They know there are no gold medals

today but there is that all- important final place for London

2012. So as consolation prizes grow, -- go, Great Britain's is not bad.

But the world champions from last year will regroup and no doubt come

It has been a really difficult week. We wanted to be stood here talking

to you with medals around our necks but we narrowly missed out in our

heat and on our rep. The B final for us, there was a lot of pressure

on that. We really needed that qualifying spot. Massively

important for us to finish off the week on a relative height. So any

really good job done. It needed to be done. Can you explain how the

crew has gone from being the best in the world to not being the best

in the world? Unfortunately, I am not sure we really know the answers

to that at the moment. We have to sit down and figure out what has

happened. I do not think it is any big changes we have made. His is

probably a lot of little things through the winter. We can always

be stronger and faster on the water so I am sure we will have a winter

of hard training. The important thing is we take the important

things from this regatta. It is all too playful.

So in the absence of a British crew, here is what happened in the main

second place now. They have put in a good time. They are 6.23. Germany

They are doing that right now. Better are penned in the stroke

seat for Germany, being forced to drive -- but a bank. They Team GB

Quartet. -- no. It is for Germany and the USA for the gold medal.

100m. 10 strokes remain and still the United States come back. They

have but absolutely everything into it but they won't catch Germany. It

will be cold for Germany. A silver for the United States. -- gold. New

Zealand coming into the bronze medal position. We can only think

where Great Britain would have been had they indeed qualified for this

and New Zealand for the bronze medal, definitely a crew to the

lookout for as we head for two London 2012.

London 2012. JOHN INVERDALE: Consolation

suggested it is that the Women's accord have qualified for the

Olympic Games. Which leads us on and 82 Greg Searle, 19 years ago

and a Olympic champion in Barcelona. -- Bonn to. Here, two decades on,

trying to win a gold medal in the world championships and at London

2012 next year. This time in the men's eight, and where ever he has

been on this extraordinary journey back to Olympic glory, his camera

has gone with him. The last Sunday before I go off on training camp

and I am knackered. I'm trying to look after myself, so I am not even

batting or bowling, I am just Has been a pretty weird day. I took

the kids after school for the last day of term. They are quite excited

about that but also a bit sad that daddy is going away. I am flying

across Europe, going to Austria. By will be there for a few weeks,

training with the rest of the team. And then the father's room with

Alex Partridge, who is a new dad. He has just been outside in the

cold. So here I am in Austria. It is the

1st August the 2011, exactly one year to the day to the Olympic

final in London 2012. An excited feeling this morning. Training

camps like this can be pretty tough, a lot of hard work, lots of time

and many men in a small, confined space together. But today is a good

day, we have lots of work to do, it is all good steps on the way. I

think today is the day to get better, to get stronger and a day

to get closer to what is now not This is quite exciting, this is

where we come for our food. I have been coming here for 20 years, so

it is a little piece of history. If you have a look around here, we

have the ladies who are going to serve this than just up there,

memorabilia from years gone by. -- it then. Lots of sign stuff that we

give them every Olympic year. -- signed.

2011, as we get the call it, it is very good and we have an

interesting dynamic of guys. We are now in the warm-weather camp in

Portugal. I am shedding my winter code. We have been doing a bit of

hairdressing, set up a salon. role is sometimes the Moody one,

that is by natural thing to play, but I have changed it slightly.

Some people might not see it but I know I have become a little bit

more positive. One of the real factors I enjoy is learning about

each other, learning about how everybody races. My Hamed is a lot

quieter, -- Mohamed Sbihi. But he is as passionate for the sport as I

am and it is a great feeling at the That looks good. Look at that!

that is beautiful. -- that is. There you go. I dare you to leave

it like that for a bit. That is awesome.

We wanted to beat the Germans at some point in the season so far so

we have left it until the last race. We planned to do it in Hamburg,

which didn't happen because of the e-coli, and then Henley -- Lucerne

didn't work out quite where. Germans are only doing the two

races there, it has been, I wouldn't say negative, but it

hasn't planned out as we exactly wanted to work, but we have high

hopes for the World Championships. I feel like we have it in our hands

to go and win a gold medal. Something very special event to

race at the World Championships, and for me on this comeback trail,

I thought that getting a medal would be a success but having got

silver last year, it feels Like Gold us what we are going for. --

final of the men's heavyweight men's eight. Australia, Canada,

Germany, Great Britain, the Netherlands and Poland. Great

Britain really now have to push out and with it up and get into this

race in the first 500 metres. Bashir we pick up a. They have to

be fast, they have always been lagging. A bit slow in those first

500 metres, then they have to catch up. They are really very keen to

try and get into a position where they can challenge Germany. So

there is a lot for them to think about. Canada has been going very

well since they brought Malcolm Howard back into the boat, it has

transformed the Canadian eight and they are now really very

competitive. But the Germany are the front-runners on theirs.

Germany. They are the world champion team, and they are getting

the early lead as we always expected them to do. About half-a-

length over Great Britain. The British crew in the middle of your

picture. Great Britain are the world silver medallists. They have

been dropped out of it by Canada. Australia also going well in a

number one. The first 500 is crucial, at that they get up, and

Great Britain are currently in 4th position. 1: 23. 1: 19 is

sensational for Germany. And Australia are up there as well,

also breaking the 1: 21 over 500. And a tail wind will help, which

will get stronger and stronger as they come down the course. Canada

really pushing on to Germany. But it Germany are so slick. They are

not very big men, but they rose so well together -- they rarely so

well together. And they have such a metronomic way of moving. The last

time there was a dominant age of three years as world champions was

the United States and they came 5th in the Olympic final. So it is very

hard to stay on top. Great Britain are hunting them down. They will

come on in the second half but they have given themselves a lot to do.

I was sitting with Juergen Grobler at the final training camp and he

let slip that he believes Great Britain will catch Germany. Whether

it is this year or next year, he absolutely believes in his Crow

that is out there right now. -- crew. Germany leading in the way

that he believes Great Britain will challenge. They push on through the

halfway mark and Great Britain are still in 4th position. A lot of

boats now with tandems. If you remember the Boat race in April,

everybody was a lot surprised that there were tandems, people Rowing

on the same side. Now they have that to help the boat go straight

and bring more power to the stern. NS 500 metres, Germany are still

moving away, they look a great -- in this. They are doing everything

that has been asked of them by their Cox. He is just pushing hard.

There is the British crew, stroked by Dan Richie and they have a

tradition of coming back and they will come back. It is all about

have they left it too much to overhaul the Germans that are

leading the race? It is Germany had front and the rest of the world

chasing. Canada has the edge on Great Britain. That is what the

situation was in their heats earlier on but Great Britain came

through in the last 200. But there is no stopping Germany. They will

have to do a lot to get back on terms. Out to three-quarters of a

length. We now have 500 metres remaining in this final of the

men's heavyweight eight and the British crew have moved up again.

It is Germany and Great Britain going through that particular mark.

The British are racing for one medal. They have got that the

silver medal from last year. Or here, they have been focused on one

colour, one medal -- all here. It is gold and they are pushing on and

they need to. A bit of discrepancy on the timing of the British aid.

Number seven, just behind the stroke, he is going in a bit late

behind the rest of the crew. A on the far side, at Australia and

Canada also battling it out for the bronze medal. The British crew are

still pushing hard. Less than 20 strokes. You can count them in from

here. The Germans have perhaps done enough but Great Britain have to

throw absolutely everything. Still the Blades slap across the water.

It is going to be so tight but I don't think Britain will be able to

do it. There is a bit of mistiming in their boat and it won't help.

Germany are moving on to the line. Inside the last 50 metres it will

be the gold medal, 2011, going to Germany. The cell that is pushed

hard and Great Britain will have to hang on. Silver for Great Britain

and bombs for Canada. -- bronze for Canada. The Germans now, three in a

row. They have been outstanding in the men's 8. There will be huge

disappointment. It is a silver medal for the British crew. They

sit slumped over. They got close and that they knew they had it in

them this year. Then some of those World Cup regattas, they were

showing great speed in the closing stages, but the conditions here,

the waters, there was a few slapping of the blade, it didn't

allow them to get the rhythm that the Germans had.

They are a very good crew but they are lacking that first push in the

first 500 metres to keep them level in the first part of the race.

Silver again for Great Britain behind Germany to get stronger and

stronger. But there is no tradition of the Earth -- an old tradition of

three in a row. The British crew have got to regroup and they will

and will come back a quicker and People will allies that race and

say you almost get yourself too much to do in the second half --

analysed. Talk us through the start. We have work done that because we

know we have to get away and be in the race. Normally the crew that is

winning at 500 ends up winning the race. We used as much power as we

have got to get away and tried to find a sustainable pace. Maybe we

are not as strong as the others, may be the rest of them are younger

crew and we don't necessarily have the power out of the start. But we

have a good cruising speed and that is the way we have to use the

strength, get away as quick as we can. Yes, exactly the same. He is

getting a bit old so we have to get a few wins in before he kick said.

But it is difficult, we leave ourselves more to do and come back

strong usually and it is disappointing been further away

than we were last year. Two seconds, it was not 0.6 last year. It is a

bitter pill to swallow. -- it was 0.6.

They had a huge event of expectation and rightly so. Not a

bad World Cup season through 2011. They had a great training camp

through Portugal in the lead-up to But on the day, conditions just did

not work, they were 4th at the 500 metres mark, for that 1,000 metres.

You just cannot allow Germany to move away for you -- from you.

Mohammed so be he, one of the talisman in the middle of the boat.

-- Mohamed Sbihi. And Greg Searle will be hugely disappointed. They

will reflect on this. They all slumped over their blades as they

went through the line, they went Dan Ritchie, a great stroke. Very

It is a great rivalry now between the German crew and the British

crew. What was your take on that race? I suppose the Germans have

been very outstanding all season, the last two seasons in fact. I was

hoping our team would have been closer. I was still expecting them

to get the silver but what was a bit worrying was how close everyone

was behind. You could say the Germans were ahead of the field of

everyone else and everyone else was battling for the minor medals.

and large, in men's eights especially, the crew who is in

front at 500m ends up winning. How do you do that, get out in front?

Because it is a sport that goes out backwards, there is a huge

advantage at being in front. You can see what everyone else is doing

and respond to it. You're cruising speed and flat-out speed is not

very much between that but trying to change that is very difficult

because you have always got this sort of mental stigma in the back

of your mind that, if I go out to hard I will not last the distance.

But then in the next race you are talking 5.5 minutes, you just have

to go for it. The last few Olympic champions are the people who have

Olympic sports can be found on the Let's hear about one of the men's

Archers former colleagues doing something perhaps more important

He has handled the pressure of an Olympic final but now for Tom

Moussi the stakes are even higher. Today he is leaving his -- leading

his men on another patrol in Helmand province, the part of the

Afghanistan where peak fighting has been fiercest. But he has no qualms

about giving up his Olympic chances to serve in the Marines. It is all

I have ever wanted to do. I got as far as I hoped in running and after

that it was time for a change. was the youngest member of the

Great Britain training squad in Beijing at just 20 years ever age.

-- 20 years of age. He looked set to have an Olympic career. Some

people would be disappointed with the silver but for me, just winning

an Olympic medal was fantastic. You just take it. He keeps talking

about it all the time. Should have got a gold medal, should have got a

gold medal... He blames the rest of his team. This is Tom's first tour

of duty as a Royal Marine, and the work is varied. Earning respect is

vital. The company is helping to run a veterinary clinic where local

Afghans can have their animals checked. It is very important. It

develops a relationship with locals. It helps them to learn to look

after their own animals as well. With security, there is still a

threat out there. Small arms and suicide bombers, IEDs. We are

providing protection at the moment. There are some obvious similarities

between life as a row and a marine. Steyn c received it is a necessity

for both. -- staying very fit. think when I watch the races next

year I will think, that would be quite good. But that is just a

small moment in time. Carrying on a Redding into the London Olympics

would have made the tradition into this Korea more difficult. -- a

transition. And there is no guarantee you are going to get my

goal you want. But he has not given up hope of returning to Bury one

day, but it will not be until well after the 2012 Olympics. There is a

lot that I want to achieve in the Marines. I am looking forward and

if I could get myself back into shape again, I would definitely

give it another shot in the future. And I am short Tom has been

following events here. During the World Championship there are also

several events that are not Olympic disciplines and Britain had high

hopes in several of these, notably British crew just going through

500m. New Zealand growing lane number one, absolutely stormed out

in the first 500m. They maintained their pace at the halfway mark but

the third part has really been about Great Britain. They have been

taking less strokes per minute than they cruise around them and that

really has come to their benefit. - - Les strokes per minute than the

cruise around them. The crew average cannot exceed 70 Joe grams.

They have taken it up, though. They have gone up to 40 strokes per

minute. That is what New Zealand have been doing from the start.

Great Britain have timed their push very well and they are now moving

away from Germany. Very good running. Kieren Emery, this is the

race for the gold medal in this final of the men's lightweight

coxless pair. It is not an Olympic event but for Great Britain and

many other nations, it is an important feeder event into the

mid- lightweight coxless four. So it is imperative that the British

do well. 100m now. And the British have timed this race right down to

the last stroke. It is perfection to the line and there are rewarded

with a gold medal. The first of these championships. A gold medal

to Great Britain, and New Zealand are slumped over their oars. Where

were they in the closing stages? It is great Britain getting the gold

World champions. How good is that? Pretty awesome. We worked for it.

We are very impressed. At 1,000 metres it was very tight, four

boats in a line. Are you looking across? How are you playing things

at that stage? I have a habit of looking about but we stuck to our

guns in the middle of the race, stuck to what we know best. We got

It has been a sensational year for Peter Chambers and Kiernan and

Marie, they add the gold medal to their under 23 medal that they were

earlier this year. -- Kieren Emery. It is just getting better for these

youngsters, in sensational style John Inverdale sadly that success

could not be replicated in the women's event. Adam Freeman-Pask

from Windsor finished back of the field in the men's final bi-by

Denmark. Plenty of medal opportunities ahead for Katherine

Grainger and Anna Watkins there will be sure to be gold, defending

champions in the double scull and in imperious form in the last World

Cup regatta. For Hodge and read in the men's pair, it might be silver

but can they produce a golden moment to be the seemingly unbeaten

All -- unbeatable New Zealanders? And for the light weight four, the

same again would do nicely. Chambers, Bartlett, Mattick and

Williams were victorious a year ago in New Zealand. Can they double up

here in Bled? The thing with growing, as with so

many other international sports, is that every passing year more and

more countries get involved. There are 1,200 athletes here from

countries as diverse as Iran, Egypt, Venezuela, Thailand and ITV this

man from Angola. The only man flying the Angolan flak here in

Bled. How proud are you to be here? I am proud to represent my country.

Tell us about running in Angola. How many people are doing is?

three but it will be much more in the future. Being in Bled, trying

to qualify to the Games and Shereen to the England people that you can

do great things here. -- Shereen. Are the people in Angola aware that

you are competing here? Some are aware of it. We are trying to get

more attention because pribbling is not a very popular sport. --

because rowing is not a very popular sport. We have two based

wet it is possible to row. Is it all about money, that it costs

money and there is not much money in Angola? Of course, but I know

that and on it can support sports. It is normal that we have to prove

that you deserve the money. But we have to show it. All around the

world, it is normal. We did not have medals, we are not popular,

but I know that after we qualify, because we will, I am sure, I will

work for that, and the other guys are helping, we will get more money.

See you in London 2012? I have to! It is very important for us to go

to London because there are a lot of people working, helping, I have

my partner that his injured... very best of luck. We look forward

to seeing you in 11 months' time. Lovely Jimmy Choo. I promise you we

will talk in 11 months' time. -- lovely to meet you. Back to events

on the lake. This is Pateman and Wells, a real medal opportunity in

the men's double sculls. My name is Matt Wells. I am Marcus Bateman. I

am in the double sculls. Togetherness, unity. Marcus's big

strength is that he is Eyke really strong dive. He is mentally very

tough. If I could change one things -- one thing about Marcus, it would

be used diet of salt and vinegar crisps. He is always trying to be

the bigger guy. He knows exactly what winds me up. I would probably

get him some platform shoes so he could be as tall as me. Thank you

double sculls, lane two, Great Britain's Matthew Wells and Marcus

Bateman. Germany have taken not only lead but they will be

challenged a lot by New Zealand. New Zealand come on well. High

stroke rate. But they are sitting quite a long way back, New Zealand.

Great Britain have moved a very well up to the 750m. Wells and

Bateman from Leander Club. A great combination, these two. The

characters, the personalities. They really have gelled very well. And

they are in amongst it all now. Rt Hon the money. That is Luka Spik

in the stroke seat. The younger man now. Usually it would be another

rower in the stroke seat but now Luka Spik is the man. He is the

younger man and he will be fighting hard to get on the podium. Coming

up to the halfway mark now, Great Britain in lane number two, just

starting to suffer, then coming back into fourth position now.

Moving back slowly here. Something not quite right in amongst the

boats. We move into the third 500m. Germany, New Zealand, Australia and

now Great Britain moving back to fourth place. Great Britain is

usually really strong here. They don't usually get on quite so fast

that they are usually strong in the middle of the race and then have a

kick at the end. So to see them sitting back there is unusual.

second 1,000 metres of this final, the men's heavyweight double sculls

and Australia in lane one, the Olympic champions really putting on

the pressure here for Britain's Matthew Wells and Marcus Bateman.

They were up in amongst it towards the 750m mark. Starting to suffer,

right to the line. His Zealand are already up to just under 40 strokes

per minute -- New Zealand. Germany, two or three strokes per minute

less, but again, New Zealander, attacking all the time, trying to

where the opposition that -- where the opposition down. 500 metres

remain in his final of the men's heavyweight double sculls and Great

Britain are languishing towards the back of the pack. It is Germany,

New Zealand and Australia. The mood is changing from each market. Now

the Australians have moved back to third, Germany have retaken the

lead than the New Zealand, back in a lane number three, the world

champions, will have to draw on that experience. The Germans are

going absolutely mad in a number four. Stephen Krueger, winner of

this event two years ago, with a new partner at this time around, he

is lifting the double sculls up and they are moving. Germany have taken

on that same a less than, they held off before they pushed the stroke

rate up. They are now up to 40 and matching New Zealand and so it New

Zealand have nowhere to go. race is really on for the silver

medal. The New Zealanders are coming back again, they have thrown

just about all they have. Surely they will not overhaul Germany

here? The Germans are going mad end the crowd. Matthew Wells and Marcus

Bateman are really out of the pack, something going on there, but for

the gold medal, it is coming down to the line and the Germans are

hanging on for dear life. Here come New Zealand. Up to the line. And

they are through! They won't know it but it looks as though New

Zealand, by one inch on a line, have successfully defended their

gold medal from last year. And Germany have just collapsed. It is

a photo finish, but New Zealand are celebrating and the Germans have

their heads in their hands. So New Zealand, the world champions

two years in a row. Germany second. A France are the bronze medallist.

Today was a very difficult day. I woke up in the middle of the night

with Marcus being ill, literally all night. We were undecided as to

whether to race today and made the decision to do it and I think we

put in a good performance. All credit to this guy, when it

actually mattered, he really put it out there. Considering what our

preparation was like, it was good. I felt like that had the worst

hangover. It was not ideal preparation, but you had to perform

on the day. Trying to take the race by the scruff of the neck and

trying every stroke, just put it out there, put it out there. We

were hanging in there and it was a gutsy race, but in the final length,

it was just too much. I had no energy.

A I suppose the only question that needs to be asked is should they

have raised? It is always difficult. The golden rule should be if you

are not going to do yourself any harm and it is the last race of the

season, you go out and raised. I will probably get in trouble for

that, because it is the team doctor that makes that decision -- race.

And she is? My wife. Hopefully she won't see Best Broadcast. At the

end of the day, he must have thought he wouldn't do himself any

harm. I would have raised. You need to have closure, it is not like you

are going to race in another three weeks -- I would have raced. The

golden rule, if you don't have -- think you are going to do yourself

any harm, go out. You will unlike - - you will likely have a poor

result but you need that closure. That move on to the crew that were

world champions in New Zealand last year, the men's lightweight four.

It was agonising, spectacular, going down to the last stroke.

Garry Herbert asked them to leak -- really of the race from beginning

to end. Sitting at the start line, I'm probably my most relaxed.

was pretty confident, feeling pretty good. And off we went -- I

was. We started to power away from Great Britain in lane four. We get

to 500, how is it at this stage? The birds are moving away from us

but we had been used to that. -- the boat. There was a bigger

crosswind that we weren't dealing with. But I was still confident at

of what would happen later in the race.

COMMENTATOR: The Germans taking it on. Just riding over the top of

that. Just look at that, perfect timing are coming towards the

halfway mark. We get to 1,000, it is a quick race.

We have always had as strong a third of 500.

COMMENTATOR: They really thrive in the second half of the race.

will often get a bit of a lead. We didn't get the usual amount.

COMMENTATOR: There are now three boats in the hunt for that precious

gold medal and the British are finally squeezing on.

If you are ahead at 1,500, you know you have to work pretty damn hard

to get past. COMMENTATOR: About six feet over

Germany with 400 metres remaining. They will be under attack from

Australia and China. I think the feeling within the Crow

was go as hard as you can now. COMMENTATOR: 25 strokes.

Our I could see the Australians getting closer. -- I could say.

COMMENTATOR: It is a matter of feet and inches. 100m. The Chinese came

from nowhere. COMMENTATOR: You have to watch the

Part a view is really happy that it is over, because obviously it had

quite the better -- part of you. The I may have been a little over

confident that we had one. Then I saw the result and I started

jumping up. It is incredible to win. To do it with this crew is

final of the men's lightweight coxless four, Great Britain in lane

Richard Chambers, Chris Bartley, Rob Williams in the stroke seat

responsible for driving of the crew off the start. The British are the

defending champions. They were first at the Lucerne, the last

World Cup regatta of the 2011 series. Denmark will be pushing

them hard. They made a change since last year in the order. When they

had any injury and trained as a minute to support them, they are

won and it was outstanding, but it meant that Rob Williams went to

stroke, and they decided to keep him and the have Paul Mattick down

to number three. The arrangement makes it more muscular -- then have

a. It makes it more dynamic and I think they may be a faster Crow

than they were last year. I think it works very well -- a faster crew.

Italy, 6-in the world championships last year, in name and number three.

At the top, Denmark led by Ed Genson, two-time Olympic champion

in this event -- Edmondson. Through the 500 metres. China, Italy,

Denmark... Great Britain in last position. That shows you how tight

the field is and secondly, how quick they are going. Having said

what I just said, I would think they would be faster. It is

surprising there have slipped down the back. They are looking relaxed,

but they are a length down on the field. The maximum individual

weight in this category, the individuals cannot exceed 72.5

kilograms. The group average cannot exceed 70 kilograms. China have

gone out fast. Denmark with all of that experience, three-time Olympic

champion Edmundson, he has got a lot on his shoulders, he has come

back to help Denmark and try and help himself to a 4th Olympic gold

medal. That would be spectacular. Italy are looking very strong but,

sitting low and the driving hard of the men's lightweight coxless

four. Three of this Italian boat came 6th in the world championships

last year. They have taken it on and they are leading the field

through the halfway mark. It is 1,000 down, 1,000 to go. Great

Britain have moved back up into 5th place. They have got a lot to do,

the defending champions, Rob Williams, Paul Mattick, Chris

Bartley and Richard Chambers. One thing is for sure, the British do

get stronger and stronger as the cause goes down. So they will

relish the challenge here, but it is a big challenge. They didn't

seem to be too slow off the start. They seemed to get off OK, so there

was nothing wrong there. Just assuming that everybody has gone

off too fast to try and take advantage, but I think that they

have got a sense of rhythm in that boat that could carry them through,

at least into the medals hopefully. Look at how tied it all is, six

feet from lane number two, the move away in other events, such is

the nature of these crews being at the same average wait. The British

are starting to move. They can wind it up and they will have their.

They are now just edging into third place -- if they will have to.

Denmark are fast finishers and they will be pressing. Into the last

quarter of the men's lightweight coxless four and Great Britain have

come back in. Into third position. But that will not be enough for the

British crew, because Great Britain are the defending world champions.

They have got one medal on their mind. It is going to be a big push

for all of the crews. 400 metres remaining. Australia are looking

very sweet out there. Technically beautiful, very good connection,

good link-up in the way they are rowing and they are moving away.

Nearly 40 strokes per minute and they are moving away with 50 metres

to go. Absolutely breathtaking from the Australians. It has been a very

long time since we have seen a distance of one length in this

event, but still, the defending champions, the world champions,

Great Britain, know they have 15 strokes to go to recapture that

medal, which is stepping away. China, closest to us had shortened

it up. They are in maximums Brent. They are right on the edge. It is

Australia, it is Italy, and Australia. Australia within five

strokes. We will have a new world champion. Australia, Italy and

Great Britain in the bronze-medal position. The Great Britain heads

go down but the arms of punching the air for Australia, who are now

crowned the new world champions of champions. Italy in second and

Great Britain had a huge fight just have to get back into the third

have to get back into the third It is the nature of a lightweight

fours that they are always competitive and sometimes you win

and some time she died. Is that how you view that? Yes, it is so

competitive. -- sometimes you don't. We wanted to win but when they

margins are so small, there is no room for error and the Australians

had a blinder. We may be wound our best but that is what happens. --

we may be weren't at our best. there an airy you can pinpoint?

didn't get into the best rhythm in the middle of the race. We didn't

do the job we had to do and it left us too much at the end. We fought

hand -- hard and we are happy to be on the podium but we would prefer

to win it. The British crew accepting the

bronze medals. Only one year ago, they were top of the podium. They

will go away and reform. They just got absolutely dropped in the first

500 metres and from there on in, they were on the back foot. They

were on the back foot in Lucerne but you can't afford it at World

Championships. As ever, the lightweight four is

unbelievably competitive. Would you Would you be downhearted by a

bronze in the lightweight fours? Certainly disappointed. For... Did

not really think that they would win gold at this time, the women,

but we did think that the lightweight fours would. They

drifted further back than they normally would. They are not

normally very fast Stratas. -- starters. But we cannot be upset

with a bronze medal. They are a very talented crew as they proved

last year and through the season. There is no reason they cannot get

back on to form for next year. are genuine gold medals contenders.

The women's eight is actually nine people, eight people in the back

and one -- in the boat and then gone out the back. Garry Herbert is

our own Olympic medal winning cox. Here with Caroline cox and of the

women's and we are in -- and the women's eight. We are in what I

call the cockpit of the boat. The shoes for one thing, that is a new

invention. Yes, this is one thing I came up with myself. I found I was

moving about quite a bit. Your voice is transmitted to the

athletes but because I was not using the old equipment there was

more manoeuvrability. So I decided to buy these shoes and have then

screwed in place. What else is going on here? This allows me to

download a lot more data at the end. I can see if there is, perhaps, a

drop in Greece or in speed -- increase in speed. It gives me a

lot of good feedback which I can then link up. You have a head said

here. This is what you are communicating through to the rest

of the boat. And they are speakers under the seats? No, we only have

three speakers in the boat and that enables me to talk to the Rovers

rather than shout. One of the main jobs for a cox is to steer the boat.

You want to use the rider as little as possible. Off the start, are you

calm and relaxed or do you scream and shout? At the moment we are

really focusing on making sure we get out of the blocks hard but come

on to a really good race with them. With that you need to make sure

everything is quite clear and succinct so that everyone knows

what is going on. The really important thing is that the eight

row has -- people -- rowers are in Great Britain in learn five. They

were faults at the World Championships last year. -- they

were fourth. We are a way in what will be, for Great Britain, one of

the most important races of the year. This in the final of the

women's eight. In lane one, China, Romania in lane two, cancer in lane

three, the Olympic and defended were champions from the sense of

America in at lane four. Great Britain are in lane five and the

Netherlands in lane six. 6 boats. A repeat of last year's World

Championship final. All boats racing for a medal but only five of

these crews will automatically qualify for these Olympic Games in

London next year. I desperately awful situation to be in if you are

the sixth boat. We can see how it, compared to last year, everyone has

really moved on, and Great Britain will have to be careful in this

final to make sure they understand that and that they push on and do

something supreme. Canada are the world silver medallist. Lesley

Thompson-Willie Olympic champion back in 1992 in Barcelona with the

Canadians. Years and years of experience here. One of the most

important seats here. Driving the women on in the final of the

women's eight. Not much in it through the first 500m. China have

dropped by three-quarters of a length. Netherlands and Canada

leading the way. The Netherlands are a bit of a dark horse. They are

languishing out in a lane six. They were fifth last year. But their

World Championship bronze medallists from 2009. A lot of

experience in this boat. They always come on well. They always

come on world was the Olympics. A lot of countries really bide their

time as they head towards the Olympics. Now Britain is well in

place there and they should be clear of that as danger zone --

that the danger zone of sixth place. The United States are languishing a

little bit as cows that have gone out front. The Canadians are so

powerful. Really long, sweeping strokes. Very efficient around the

front and the USA of the world champions, really just handing off

the handle. They use brute power and forced to move it along. To the

left of your picture did concede the British crew. Great Britain

went through the 500m mark in fourth position. Currently sitting

in the same place now. She has now moved down to the stroke seat and

it is working. At the halfway already and Canada, the world

silver medallists, are leading. The world and Olympic champions from

the United States of America are at Next and Great Britain have just

moved into fifth position. 6 boats Racing, only five will get

automatic qualification for the Olympic Games next year before

Canada and the United States, it is only one thing on their minds.

Winning this gold medals. United States have moved back from

quite a long way back for about 800m before. They have now proved

up on the shoulder of Canada and they have the experience and power

to push on back and push right through. 750m now remain. China in

lane one, who have rightly dropped out to the top left of your picture.

So the race is now on for the medals here. Everyone here has

qualified. So now we are bracing for the gold medal through to the

bronze medal. The British team is starting to move again. There is

absolutely no doubt they can get on to the medal podium. They were

fourth last year. They are looking long and strong here compared to

their competitors. The Dutch have shortened up and are hacking away

at it. Romania are very experienced. It is rare you go into the last

500m of a final in eight and cannot call what is going on here. As they

went through, Canada where leading and then the silver medallists. A

couple of feet between them and the USA. The race is on for the bronze

medal. Here come Romania, also on the far side, in lane two. The

British now in their own fight with the Netherlands in lane six. So

much going on, so little water left. Great Britain are moving past the

Netherlands but they know they are not going to catch Romania for the

bronze. The United States have really forced their way back

through and past Canada and now in this last the run-in, 250m, they

look like they are flying. Canada is just back down, the United

States just up and taking the lead, the Olympic and world champions,

but with them here come Great Britain. 20 straits remaining, a

little under. Now gripped Britain fighting for this bronze medals. --

Great Britain. It is imperative that all power is used. The last

100m. Still on USA for gold medal, Canada for the silver medal. The

USA are first. Canada is second and the British crew will get the

bronze medal. We watched the arms go up here. They do not know they

have won yet but the British have got bronze here today. So the

United States successfully defend their Bob Champion should medal for

last year, Canada silver and Great Britain, and the last time Great

Britain got a bronze medal was back Brilliant. So happy. We knew we had

a good line and we had to just believe in that. We went nuts and

it was brilliant. At the halfway point to do things you were out of

it? No I knew we had a strong finish so we just kept on and kept

plugging away at it. Caroline was really good at telling us where we

work. I bet you were shouting and the last 300m? Yes. At halfway I

think we were in fifth but it was really close, there was two-thirds

of a length maximum between the Holtsfield. We could see China were

not in it so we knew that was qualification done and we just had

to push on for a medal. We built early because I knew we had to go

all we were going to leave it too late. It was just fantastic and so

committed. We had a really good last 500. This will be a well

received bronze medal from the supporters in the crowd. They

John Inverdale a great finish. have to be pleased with a bronze

medal. Disappointed that if they could put in a finish like that,

they should have put in something like that earlier in the race. You

cannot fault them for a bronze medal. They would have taken that

at the beginning of the week all season. It is expected, if we are

honest? Yes and No. I suppose if you are going to market up

beforehand you would have said fourth or fifth, and that gets

close to the qualifying slot. Fourth I would have put my money on

but very pleased with a bronze medal. But the way they raced, they

know that they can do better by racing in a search -- slightly

different way. To another element of the world regattas and these are

the Atlantic -- adopted events, the Paralympic events. We will focus on

the men's single scull, Tom a car competing this, a former rugby

player who was involved in a very serious car crash. -- Tom Aggar.

He's looking for his fourth world title. The final of the arms only

men's single scull adaptive eventer raised over 1,000 metres, Tom Aggar

in at lane three will be up against the Russians. -- Tom a car. Looking

there at Tom in lane three. USA in lane one, Australia lane two, Great

Britain lane three, Russia lane four, Spain lane five and Korea

lane six. He has been the Paralympic champion and world

champion since he started doing this and immediately he was a big

player on the scene. They can only use their arms and shoulders and

they cannot swing and the swing of the body, the drunk, is really

important in rowing, so this is a very strong restriction. -- the

drunk. They are in harnesses so they cannot actually swing at all.

The Russian bass drum's strongest of rival and he has been going very

well. But Tom is quite experienced. He is a very powerful man.

rower from the United States of America is in lane number one. This

is starting to develop into a fascinating race in the first half

as the scullers make their way to the 500m mark. Australia and the

United States of America are definitely picking up the pace from

their semi-finals. Interesting that it is all arms for Tom. He is not

sitting back at all, finishing off his stroke at all, like the Russian.

The Russian has a longer stroke and is rather slow. You can see how it

Tom has built up his upper-body strength a lot in the gym. He is

doing very well. The Great Britain rower was named adaptive group of

the year bike are rowing federation in 2010. He was Olympic champion

from 2008 and rightly so. But he has been put under pressure through

the halfway mark on this final here at players. The 2011 World Rally

Championship final is Great Britain being put under pressure from

starting to use a bit more swing. Just sitting back and little bit

more and it is giving him more of a sense. One would hope he will open

it up over the second part of the race. It is a close race. Tom, from

the Royal Docks Rowing Club, a real stalwart of that club. And

testament to the focus of adapted Rohlin at the club. -- rowing. They

played rugby for the first 15 at University prior to an accident in

2006, unrelated to the sport. He took up rowing in 2006 and as they

say, the rest is history. He has gone from strength to strength in

this event. Coached by Tom Dyson. Just putting on more pressure. 250

metres remaining. Still the Russian, in lane number four, hasn't given

up the battle yet. It has just stayed at about three quarters of a

length all the way. A very close tussle between these two. A all of

these scholars have qualified for the Paralympic Games next year --

scullers. Now it really is all about racing for medals. Tom Aggar

from Great Britain. Just starting again to put the pressure on, just

increasing the boat speed. He is away by one length. They are inside

the closing stages of this 1,000 metre race. And the Russian is

putting in the final sprint towards the line. But Tom Aggar, two-time

world champion, will look to make it three in a row after the World

Championships. Not a bad effort at all. Defends successfully, Tom

Aggar, again, 2011 world champion. The Russian in second place.

by Russia in the Medway Mark, but Tom Aggar is now the three-times

world champion -- midway. He must now be the favourites for the

Paralympic Games in London next Well earned and well deserved from

Tom Aggar. Next year, at that if rowing will celebrate a decade of

introduction -- adaptive rowing will celebrate a decade are sport

since its introduction, and Tom Aggar will certainly go in as the

favourite. Another title. Yes, I am obviously

really pleased. It was a tough race but I have come out on top again.

Are you getting better? I am getting stronger and fitter but the

rest of the field is getting better so it is a matter of working hard

and staying go-ahead for next year. In a race like that, do you get a

chance to sample the scenery and think, my God, I have won a world

title in one of the most beautiful places on earth? It is one of the

most beautiful places to train. I had a few days to enjoy it and take

it all in but it was a fantastic atmosphere on the start-line.

have three or four weeks of and then it is starting a game. Yes,

back to the grind and back into it for next year. It is the big one

where it counts, in front of the home crowd so it will be health --

all guns blazing. The British pair in be adapted

The British pair in be adapted mixed doubles, Sam Scown and Nick

Beighton, faced a tougher above are all strapped in so there

is no movement -- the. It is all about getting a great read them, as

we come to the last 200 metres. -- getting a great rhythm. The Ukraine

struggling to hang on with Australia putting them under

pressure. It is between France, Ukraine and Australia for the

silver medal, but China look like they are well out in front and

pretty secured. They are fabulous demonstration of team work by China.

-- Athar Abbas. They can smell the line, they can sense it -- that is

a fabulous demonstration. China absolutely moving to the line.

Great Britain in a number six cannot compete. They have qualified

for the Paralympic Games but out front, and up to the line, it is

going to be a gold medal for China. That is what it means, well

demonstrated by China. In second place, France. And the Ukraine

drift over as Australia move time. Great Britain, although they

are last in this final, they can take a lot of credit, because they

have qualified for the 2012 Katherine Grainger is a multiple

world champion but she and Anna Watkins though another try and

there would be the precursor to being Britain's first ever Olympic

women's rowing champions next year. The big showdown Nears. If you have

lost 13 times on the trot to the same opposition, you would surely

throw the towel then? Not if you are Andy Hodge and Peter Reed. Andy

has won a world bronze and a world silver. And Alan Campbell complete

the set before he gets married? We seem to have spent a lot of time

over the last few years discussing it Andy Hodge and Peter Reed and

whether they can beat Bond and partner. What is your view of this?

13 Thames and they have lost every time -- 13 attempts. The last World

Championships, they got the closest they have ever done and that has

given them confidence that their season, they can overturn them. --

this season. The reality is they haven't embraced them once this

year, at Lucerne, -- they have only raced them once this year, at

Lucerne, and they got beaten by the biggest margin out of the 14 times

they have raised. -- raced. What can they do differently? Is this a

physical battle? Or is it a mental battle now? It is half-and-half.

Obviously, rowing is very physical but it is a mental sport as well.

When you need to go that few tenths of a second quicker, how do you do

that? You need more effort, more bigger, more determination, which

then causes more attention and that actually make you go slower --

pension. You have to go faster without trying harder. How do you

do that? Let's hear from the guys on the eve of arguably the biggest

. Andy Hodge and Peter Reed are two of the best runners in the world.

They are the two best in the British team. -- rollers. Belief in

their own ability and the knowledge of the facilities they enjoy and

their coaching support is as good as it gets. They live in a no

excuse environment. Nationally, they are our best athletes.

only trouble is that out there on the water from the other side of

the world, to others are a fraction better. -- two. New Zealand looking

absolutely spectacular. My Zealand looking very confident.

Peter Reed and Andy Hodge won gold in Beijing in the coxless four.

British are coming! Gold Medal! Absolutely amazing. Then they set

off on their own to attend gold at 2012 in the pair. -- attempt. In

the past couple of years, they have raised Bond and Murray 13 times and

have lost the lot. -- raced. courageous push by Great Britain

but New Zealand when and look at that distance. Limping over the

line into second place. A lot of coaches will be thinking that is

not the boat to go for. Silva 2 Great Britain. Such a grudge match

between these crews -- silver medal for Great Britain. 10 in a road for

New Zealand. They are a great crew, a lot of respect for them. It has

been a big debate, should they move back into another boat and pursue

Olympic glory elsewhere, leaving the pair to the Kiwis? Throwing in

the towel is not in their DNA. did go home and cry about not

beating them. We have a lot of fortitude and the boat. We are

close. At the World Championships last year, it was almost the last

throw of the dice. After such a run of defeats, a drubbing here would

surely force the British team's handed to making a change. It was

handed to making a change. It was so nearly a watershed moment.

Zealand on home water. But Great Britain are holding on. We haven't

seen Great Britain at perform like this in the two years they have

been together. Inside 500 metres. The British Crow are ahead. Now New

Zealand move. Great Britain have to hand in. New Zealand from Great

Britain. It is so close. What a performance from Peter Reed and

Andy Hodge. It is a silver medal today but it is as close as they

have got. That was the first time have got. That was the first time

they have had us through the middle and coming into the finish. We

usually think we can walk away with will -- at well but we had to dig

deep. That is as good a fight as we can put a bad they have been worthy

competition for 18 months. There has been a lot of speculation but

we don't know if this is the end of the pair internationally. If it is,

we got a lot of silver medals but a lot more fun than that suggests.

that in defeat but defeat nonetheless. The winter to consider

the options and decide. This is a battle they still believe can be

won. This is not a kid club. -- Kids Club. They like to be

competitive. Of course, an Olympic champion and silver medallist, it

is a bit of a drop. This pair's project really isn't about doing

something different of getting our own back. I just feel like this is

the fastest boat that Great Britain Canfield and it is still improving.

Until we get it absolutely right I am willing to give it ago -- can

eagerly awaited final at this World Rowing Championships. It is the

men's coxless pair. The world champions from New Zealand, 13

consecutive wins over Great Britain, looking to make it 14 in a row. The

world silver medallists and Olympic champions from the men's coxless

four, Peter Reed and Andy Hodge. Will they turn it around today? So

much riding on the outcome of this race. Not just for Peter Reed and

Andy Hodge from Great Britain in lamed number four, but for the

whole of the men's team. Is this the last time we see the men's pair

blasting off the start end the first 100? Alongside them, 13

consecutive wins, New Zealand, Eric Murray and Hamish Bond, the world

champions, in the black strip. Just a fabulous race away its four-star

up here it comes under great Britain have been trying out a new

strategy. -- here it comes. They have been trying to keep their

rates of strokes higher to try and match the New Zealand team. Peter

Reed who says it is his job to set the Botha before Andy Hart, his

stroke man, not to muscle it along -- set the boat up for Andy Hodge.

But it looks as though it Germany as they come towards the first

timing mark, it will be 500 metres, New Zealand in lane three starting

to ease out. They are taking more strokes per minute, so they are

getting faster boat speed but they are not continuous with bat boat

speed. -- that. They have taken quite a lead. 500 metres down and

New Zealand are out to three- quarters of a length. Over Great

Britain in a number four. Peter Reed and Andy Hodge really have to

just step into, jump into the second 500 metres, otherwise the

key ways of Eric Murray and Hamish Bond, two-time world champions, the

king to make it 14 in a row -- Kiwis. The that is disappointing,

because great Britain have been practising this fast-moving stroke.

They looked a little bit laboured them. We got a shot of them. The

New Zealanders have already got a length. They are notoriously slow

starters but they really move in the second and third 500. Now they

are over one day in the head and visions of Lucerne six weeks ago, -

- one leg the head, they begin to loom again. This is not good for

demonstration of racing in the men's heavyweight coxless pair. The

New Zealanders have not only taken this race by the scruff of its neck

but they are laying down a youth market. But there is one thing they

can be sure of, Peter Reed and Andy Hodge from Great Britain will not

give up. Not one single stroke. They will be right on it and they

will believe in the second 1,000 as they must do that they have enough

in the tank to overhaul the world champions. Through the halfway mark.

This is an incredible display now. The New Zealand rowing champions,

two in a row. Looking as if it is going to be three. They have opened

up a length of clear water. Their confidence will be get -- getting

better and better. There are really only two boats in this, the world

champions New Zealand, the world silver medallists, Great Britain.

New Zealand are up at 38 strokes a minute. That is what they like.

They are moving along very fast. Now an enormous job there for Great

Britain. They have moved up again from 34, 35, which is rather sedate

at this level. They have moved it up now and they are beginning to

close it up again. Maybe they have a plan. They have been very fast in

the middle of this race. Great Britain have to keep it long and

relaxed. Andy Hodge is in the stroke seat. These guys are Olympic

champions in the men's coxless four so they have all the experience in

the bank to overhaul the skies. The main thing is that New Zealand have

not gone away any further and Great Britain have to take a huge

confidence in that, but time is starting to run out. We are in it

towards the last 500m. It is going according to script. The New

Zealanders at 1,500m now lead out by half a length. Undoubtedly,

Great Britain are starting to move back. They are four at other boats

but the world is only too far coast -- only focused on the two that

matter. Britain are coming up towards an overlap with New Zealand.

We will see fireworks coming. have 400m to go. It is not a long

way but, my goodness, they are shifting. New Zealand have this be

a change that they can do. They have seen the danger and they have

changed gear and moved away again. They are right on the edge now,

Peter Reed and Andy Hodge. You can count the strokes from here, 200m.

They are giving it absolutely everything. We are now 175 metres

from the line. Still the world champions from New Zealand hand on.

A fantastic comeback from Great Britain. 200m to go and they are

moving very well. Here comes Great Britain. 100m remaining. This is

the desperate, dying part of the race but surely the New Zealanders

are going to make it three in a row. It is New Zealand three in a row,

gold medal for New Zealand! 14 consecutive second places for Team

GB, but a fantastic race from start to finish. That surely has to be

the last time we see Peter Reed and Andy Hodge of Great Britain in the

men's coxless pair. That was half a length, a great fightback from

Great Britain but in the middle of the race they gave that too much.

At 34 strokes a minute they could not sustain that and had to move.

The Italians moved up from fourth into third this year but really it

was all about tot -- two boats. The Kiwis now it must go into 20 prom

on the Olympic Games as the odds on favourite because they are getting

better and better, faster and faster. Great Britain into second

position. They believe, deep down in their heart of hearts that they

would get it today. New Zealand Very difficult. We had this

interview last year and I know how this feels from them. I did not

want to feel it again. We have enjoyed the build-up. It has been a

fantastic regatta and Just So tough to be beaten again. We trained so

hard every day and we have everything we need. A faster group

and -- the fastest crew and in these conditions, you are more like

the third quickest group ever. had to do a double-take when I saw

the time coming out. I would like to see any other crew get so close

to the world record. But we know we are racing one of the best Chris.

We are proud to be part of that, and pushing them as well. What

happens for the next year, only Jurgen knows that and I am going to

fight to make sure I am in the gold medal race. At 500 metres, when

they were a length and a bit ahead, how did you keep your will and

concentration at that point? Part of you must have thought, oh no, we

let them go? Any crew can do something special and do -- spend

too much money in the first part of the race. I can see what we are

doing and the conditions. I knew that we were where we should be on

the pace, maybe they had gone off too fast. It is hard when they are

in front but that was always a possibility. We pushed on in the

middle and at the end. It is a great rivalry. A we saw that when

you pushed each other into the water. Would you like it to

continue? I want to win. Next year, being in the middle of the podium

is the most important thing. Steve won 5 gold medals. Many people note

he has five but not everyone knows what events they were in. So the

colour of the medal is the only factor here? Absolutely. There are

very significant differences between rowing in Paris. -- rowing

in a pairs of two and four. Come what may, we want to be in the top

boat and I want to be leading the GB team to a gold medal. It may be

second place but it was a great race and you are an integral part

of it. Thank you for your help and support throughout these World

Championships. Steve, just to bring you in on this. You taught

throughout the race might pan out. You almost predicted it to a tee.

said they would come second by three-quarters of a length and

unfortunately they did. It seemed like they try to do make a

difference. I do not think they planned to hold back on purpose.

Surprised the other boats were leading them in the first half. It

did stay a little closer in that 750m. The burst at the end may have

caught them. The Kiwis are very fast. The second fastest time in

history. Andy and Peter are probably the fourth fastest time in

history. You can hear their hearts. It is all about a gold medal. It is

easy to say it is going to be Jurgen's decision but if their

hearts are saying, we are going to do the pair, there is nothing that

is going to stop them from doing that. You might say that it is a

combat, saying it is Jurgen's toys. Last year theirs came so close to

winning. -- they came so close. It is extremely tough to go into the

Olympics to win. I think that the Kiwis could fall to doing that. We

have seen it so many times, people being world champion every year, it

comes to the Olympics and they fail to do it. If they walk away from

this they could be walking away from an Olympic gold medal.

that great rivalry ends 14-0 to New Zealand. Great. I think it is safe

to say that a lot of debate will happen about their futures. Also

the Great Britain at sculling teams, particularly after the men's quad

narrowly failed in the most traumatic of circumstances to

measure through to the final. -- a remaining. The British crew had

started to come back in the first semi-final of the men's quadruple

scull. There are now four boats hunting three places into the final.

The British crew have to step it up. There have been fourth all the way

along. It is a big task to ask of the British group. Holland are in

lane two, currently leading. Holland Park the Olympic champions.

-- Poland in lane two, the Olympic champions. Croatia are the

defending world champions. They are in lane four. Croatia moved up a

very well. They moved up well in that 500. Great Britain will move

up now. Russia are starting to slide back. But they have only got

250m to go. Now down to the last 200m in this race. Great Britain

have to throw absolutely everything at this. They are fourth. Only

three will go through. Still the British crew come. This is a

desperate part of the race. They are on the tail of the Russian crew,

on the tale of Poland but they will not do it today. They have been

edged out. The confirmation then, agonisingly close for the British

crew. They were fourth all the way down the track but that is how it

came in the final sprint to the So, five European cruise lined up

Germany lead through over the Australians and in third place,

Croatia finally moving up on the world champions.

Starting then move towards the line. Look how relaxed the Germans are.

38 strokes a minute but they look very loose. It does not feel that

tents. That urgent. And yet there they are, spinning along. Australia

are throwing up a lot of water at the finish of the stroke, so they

are losing pace just at the end of the street where, if they kept them

buried, they would get more pace. They find that Croatia is really

trying to row them down. Croatia look like they may have too much to

do. 200m just inside 20 straits remaining. All of these crews are

on maximum speed now. One last time, the Australians in lane to throw

everything at them. It will be close to the line. 75 metres.

caught a blade and that allowed Australia to rob them of a gold

medal. If ever there is a bad time to do that, two strokes out from

the line is it. An absolutely incredible event from the Germans.

The others in his boat stopped rowing. They all just stopped. If

they had actually carried on, they would have scrambled across, but

they stopped. It does in a flat on the catch. He has scored his left

blade, he goes out again. He stops. Wait do the strokes stop? -- why.

result, then, that will be talked about for years to come. Australia

get the gold by default from Germany, in silver. And by such