Lucerne Highlights Rowing World Cup

Hello. I suspect this is a first for the BBC, down at the river in

the East Midlands. We are here to reflect on the Lucerne regatta, the

final event of the World Cup calendar and the warm-up before the

championships. The Great Britain team did not go to Hamburg because

of the E-coli scare, meaning the Henley Regatta was even more

significant stop -- even more significant than normal.

The most significant result from The most significant result from

Hamburg was the return to winning ways of Eric Murray and Hamish Bond

of New Zealand. The Kiwi duo of New Zealand. The Kiwi duo

strolled to victory and their first medal of the season. We were here

to win, we want to raise the bar a bit in the pairs. We will see what

happens when we meet the rest of the field in Lucerne.

Also an action was a Kiwi singles sculler. I really feel confident

now that I can get out and do it and hopefully go the same in

Lucerne. In the absence of Great Britain,

most of the regatta was about New Zealand.

With hamburger out, the women's team had an unscheduled but

successful trip to Amsterdam -- with Hamburg out. Then Henley, with

trophies are plenty and records tumbling. We are reminded the

growing world we are a force to be reckoned with. The men's doubles

smashed the record by five seconds to beat the reigning Olympic

champions. To dominate how we have, break records left, right and

centre. The men's eight and narrowly lost out to their German

counterparts. After an early lead they will want a number of times

for crossing the path of the GB boat, and this near collision seems

to have further ignited rivalry. Going into a son, we need to do

something about this. -- going into a son. Andy Hodge and Pete Reed

laid down a timing market by equalling the course record held by

Steve Redgrave and Matthew Pinsent. Pleased we did well, we came out

with a top performance and we are really, really keen going forward.

The Men's Four were on fire, knocking three seconds off the

course record on their way to beat the Americans. It is not always

that you get a win here, never mind beating the record.

A men's squad beat the world champions Croatia in their final --

of the men's quad. The Women's Eight ran America close, forcing

them to another course record to win the trophy. The sparring is

over, now it is time for the countdown to the World Championship

to begin. The men's pair have begun with two

victories, but now their biggest test as New Zealand awaits them in

Lucerne. Katherine Grainger and Anna Watkins, she has been in the

power and the quad, but is this the combination that can bring the

elusive gold in London? Tom James made a goal to return to

the Men's Four after two years away. -- a golden return. And are the

men's eight sake of the site of silver?

-- sake of the site? Here we are with Steve Redgrave by

the riverbank, I don't think we have ever done this with a local

regatta in the background before. What is your take in the interest

and participation levels? It is a great sport, the problem we have is

space to get boats into boat houses. Juniors and veterans rowing is a

big expansion. At grass roots, it is very healthy. Do we need more

water?! More water, better quality water, better quality rowing clubs.

But it is still in pretty good shape. It seems vibrant here at

Burton. But let's go to Lucerne. The big question rowing fans were

asking his after 12 significant -- consecutive defeat to New Zealand,

could the British pair prove they for. New Zealand are out quick,

looking to continue their impressive run of 12 consecutive

wins. New Zealand are the world champions, powering through the

Zealand for the last two years. New Zealander Aaron Lane four, Canada

in five, Hungary in lane number 6. The early leaders are in lane

number one, the Italians. I am the Canadians are very fast. -- and the

Canadians are very fast. All four Andy Hodge, they just believe they

can beat New Zealand. That is why they have been given another run

through this year to take them on. Canada are closest to us. About six

or seven feet over Italy in lane do if they are to get back into the

race, into the second 500. If you get a great start in the first five,

it gives you the confidence to step down into your rhythm. You have to

work up to get the speed. This is the psychological difference as New

Zealand start to pay their way through. New Zealand did that for

about 20 seconds. They have such flexibility, they saw there was a

danger from Canada. They just pushed on, look at that. They have

gone right the way through and have taken the lead from Italy at the

top of the picture. Italy were at Henley last week. Britain beat

Italy at Henley. But Great Britain are sitting back in the field.

hard to see what they will do as they come towards halfway. This is

all about making a big, big statement. Eric Murray and Hamish

Bond are laying it down. Great Britain have to do a lot to

have thought coming through the 1,000-metre mark in the men's

heavyweight coxless pairs that New Zealand would have walked away from

Great Britain, who are now languishing right back in 5th

position? They are struggling to find any kind of speed or rhythm

that will put them on a pace with the cruise around them, much less

the New Zealand crew, who were just enjoying this. Eric Murray on your

right. They are a street ahead of everybody. They have cut through

the field, look how far they are against Great Britain, no coming

back. They thought they had improved and moved on, but the flow

and the ease of stroke from New Zealand, last still moving away, it

just crap -- cut right the way from Canada. Five legs ahead of Great

Britain. It was a high rating, but they flowed easily and let their

boat run. They have more flexibility, they can turn it on if

they need to. Peter Reed and Andy Hodge sat down after the World

Championships last year, they came closest by a couple of feet to New

Zealand, and they said, we really believe another season and we will

catch them. Jurgen Grobler will be watching this from the side, he

will have to really be recalculating his ambitions going

forward for this grid. -- for the screw. Will he stay together with

his combination? Who knows? It is the last 500 metres of the men's

heavyweight coxless pairs, New Zealand are strolling away. They

have the grip of this race in the first three or four strokes, got

out quickly, got into a rhythm, and Great Britain really struggled in

lane number 34 stop we thought New Zealand would win but we did not

think it would be by the impressive lead they have established. They

are enjoying this, they are enjoying the crowd as they come

towards the last 250 metres. strokes a minute, they are on --

they are unstoppable. They will be thinking should we try to bury the

competition from Great Britain right now and see how much we can

beat them by, or should we tantalise them and try to stay

closer? This is domination. Peter Reed and Andy Hodge, they are

racing for the silver medal against a very impressive Canadian crew.

The last time this Canadian crew got together they won the silver

medal in Beijing at the Olympics. This is the quality in this field.

The Canadians are shoring up slightly. Surely they can't hold

Great Britain, the current world silver medallists? They are looking

long and impressive. They continued to dominate this event, to dominate

Great Britain. 13 wins in a row from New Zealand over Great Britain

who are, it has to be said, limping over the line into the silver

position, and Canada get the bronze. Pretty conclusive. That is the

first meeting they have had this year, New Zealand and Great Britain.

New Zealand look unstoppable. Unlucky for some, 13, 13 in a row

for New Zealand, which has become their lucky number. Look at the

distance, almost seven seconds into distance, almost seven seconds into

silver, over Canada in bronze medal position.

You were pretty pumped before the race and lots of your fans in

Britain were thinking this could be the time after the magic row in the

world championships? We had a great preparation, a great Henley-on-

Thames, we came here with all guns blazing, it felt, but it turned

into our normal Lucerne performance, which was disappointing. But I am

confident we can build up the speed and get them like we did last year.

We came short by a few hundredths, but give us a month and a half and

we can do a lot of damage. I have to ask this tough question, isn't

it about time you went back in the four, you stop the losing streak?

tough question, one we are always asked. At the moment we are really

happy raising the power, it is a simple boat. Nobody likes

collecting silver, but we feel it is good for our rowing at the

moment. If we stay in the pair, we will aim to get our noses in front,

but if we get a silver, we still think what we are learning will pay

off. I feel we can really add to the boats if we go into the four.

It is dominant, we will make it faster. At least we will have had

this year and the last few years behind us to move the rowing on.

A pretty resounding resort for New Zealand, so where does that leave

Pete Reed and Andy Hodge? By themselves or relocated to the

coxless four, which won gold in Beijing? There's a feeling you have

to do international sport over and over and over again without ever

taking time off. But some people think if you leave for a while it

reignite enthusiasm, and Tom James, one of the victorious quartet in

China, fit that category. Tom James exudes conference --

confidence. It comes with being an Olympic champion. The British are

now out, they will be the Olympic champions! Gold medal, Great

Britain, wonderfully done! What a perfect, perfect day!

After his Men's Four gold in Beijing, James has been out of

sight on the British rowing scene. I have had de Quiros, been

travelling, did the gap-year thing which I missed out on when I was 18.

-- I have had a year off. I did some skiing and put on weight. I

did some work experience, planning for when I eventually finished

rolling. I came back into it at the end of 2009. I got injured, I

thought it was a normal back strain but it turned into a pretty bad

back injury. Things escalated, and when you get into that situation,

your heart stops. Out of sight means out of mind, generally, but

that does not apply to James. Despite the injuries, he has been

confident enough to fit back in. have a gold medal under my belt,

which gives you a certain confidence. Not complacency, but

you know you have been there, done that and you are a top athlete.

There is a certain expectation about winning races. Things have

stepped up since Beijing. The team has really grown, there is a lot of

camaraderie, a lot of banter. quartet needed reinvigorating.

Failure to win gold in another championship meant it was back to

the drawing board over the winter, and to good effect. A gold medal,

back on top of the podium, the men's heavyweight coxless four.

have shown we are pretty quick already. It is early days, we want

to build. The most important thing, we have the same attitude to racing.

We don't want to be too prescriptive, we like being free in

our racing, turning up and being quite reactive and being able to

race, not having too much of a race plan. Timing is everything in sport.

Tom has chosen his comeback wisely. At stake, a place for 2012. As a

late place for Beijing, James knows nobody in his game is guaranteed.

Winning in Beijing came very quickly, I was not in the squad the

year before. That year was fantastic, selection went really

well, by the end of it I got a gold medal. I was left thinking, what do

I do now? I am 24 with a gold medal, I can do a lot of things. But then

you have London looming over you, it will be one of the best games

Tom James obviously a key component of the coxless four, so let's see

Germany on the outside. United States of America in one, Greece in

two, and we're watching the German crew here. The World Cup leaders

with the yellow Jersey is under their racing tops. Challenging

alongside the British crew there. The Greeks will be quick and the

first 500 metres. Germany, interestingly have been swapping

between the eight and the four, to try to find the best combinations.

They have not been beaten in twenty-five races, the eights. But

the four have been juggled around, to get the best combination. So we

will see how this four shapes up. They are beginning to edge away,

with a quarter length lead on the field. Looking very calm. The boat

travels between strokes very nicely. And the coach for the British fours,

John West. Very calm and experienced coach. Working well

with this combination. And we have Tom James back, it really has

worked well. Tom James, Olympic champion, 2,000 and Date, he took

one year off in 2009, he was injured in 2010. And the British

crew now can just enjoy this second 500, just laying down the race plan.

What Tom James does when he gets into the boat, he allows the others

to relax. He is so flexible. He is not big, he just gets sucked into

that bolt, and allows the big guys to have a little more time to roll.

So they just long. -- they just below along. He started his

international career at the Olympics when he was 19 years old.

Just taking a length. Just moving steadily ahead. And very good form.

Coming up to the halfway mark and that teams will receive

encouragement, shouting, from their team-mates. Going through 1,000

metres, 1,000 metres gone, and what a position for the British crew.

The British have to lay down a bigger benchmark because there is

so much going on. This year, or next year, when we have a pair that

might want to go into this, Andy Hodge and Pete Reed, because there

pair is not going as well as the magnate like it to. -- as they make

and Reid, with that upset the balance? Just strengthening that

eight with two goes out of that board, that would strengthen the

eight and produce the chances. That would be the perfect strategy

through the winter if they could work that out. But Britain is just

winning at the front of this all the time and it is quite remarkable.

It is to do with money because �24 million and very good organisation

has gone into the British team. It just shows that that kind of

investment really pays off. British crew, now, ahead, into the

last quarter of this race. Not seeing too much from them, just

containing their position. Holding of Greece, end only number of two.

-- in lane number two. The US are fantastically fast finishers, lying

in 5th position in the qualifiers, and came right through to qualifier.

The best four athletes in the American squad and that they hoped

to challenge at the top level. They are not going to catch Britain, who

are just so strong. Alex Gregory in the stroke seat from Reading

University Boat Club. Just coming up towards the finishing line. A

little over 200m remaining. They can enjoy this. Looking back and

seeing the world coming at them but under no pressure whatsoever. 100,

a little over, Great Britain's safely in the gold medal position.

So much going on with this four, in the light of other things going on

in the men's events, the men's teams, but they can enjoy the

moment, they are gold-medallists today, and by some distance. These

second and just on the line, the United States of America take the

bronze. Great Britain get the gold medal from Greece and the United

States. The British are just getting better and better. Turning

around that 4th place at the World around that 4th place at the World

Championship last year. How exciting was that? You destroyed

the field. It was nice to see, from my seat, everyone going backwards.

Nice not to have to sprint for the line, and watching everyone else

printing or second or third, it is nice to dominate the race. We have

a long period from now until the World Championships and we have to

enjoy these moments, because this is what we do it for. I really

enjoyed it. What are you Michael Thaw's, on the Men's Pair results,

and the difference between the Kiwis and the British pair? It was

a big margin, but Pete and Andy have tried hard and credit to them.

It is the event. We're here to make our four will quickly and Andy and

Pete Artemis and we will support them Foster in any event, we want

to see them win. But we are talking about the coxless fours here, so...

The coxless fours in Mike impious form. And Andy Reed -- and Pete

Reed and Andy Hodge Peat Inn resoundingly. So what is going on?

No one can answer that better than Pete Reid and Andy Hodge themselves.

Pete said that this might be our last time racing in the pairs, so

they might knew that the pressure was on after their performance last

year. It is always very difficult coming out of Henley, racing. They

found themselves at the top of the pack behind. In previous races it

has been the Kiwis, the Brits, and then the pack behind. You do not

change a winning team, so why change the four when they are

looking so good? I don't think you can change the four at the moment.

I cannot see Jurgen Grobler changing anything. I think he will

see this season out. It is a matter of less than two months to the

world championships. I think he will stick with what he has got now.

But there will be changes for next year, through the winter. If the

four goes on and wins everything, is there an option to put Pete Reed

and Andy Hodge into a eight, to give them a substantial chance of

winning the gold medal there? Putting the two best guys in the

British team will make the eight go faster, but will it be fast enough

to win on last year's will John Major performance? Yes. On this

year's performance, probably not. - - last year's world championship

performance. But that is about pique and Andy who are the stars

and the British team and are not winning, but the four is. Is it a

man management issue? How do you say to somebody, I don't think you

are going to win a gold medal in that boat, so I am seeking you out

of their and putting you somewhere else. If the two individuals want

to carry on in the pairs, there is no reason why they cannot overturn

13 defeats. But you only need to win one or, as long as it is the

right one. You only get one chance at the Olympics, once every four

years. Whoever his bid is going into it, there is a lot of pressure

on that. -- whoever his favourite going into it. It is a difficult

process. The underlying factor is British rowing wants to have gold

medals and even though it is fantastic having a silver medal and

it is good for the credibility of rowing in at the UK, we want our

best people winning gold medals. That is going to continue in the

weeks and months ahead. We had been talking about 2012. The rowing

story of the Year centres on Katherine Grainger. The

unforgettable images of the Sydney Olympics. Great Britain gets the

gold medal! Steve Redgrave, five in a row! What a great Olympian.

the undercard was a rowing silver poorer women squat who has gone on

to become great Britain's best-ever female raw. It is called for

Germany, and on the line they are pushing on! It is going to be a

photo-finish. In gold police Mac, Germany, and Silver Place, Britain,

we got it! Katherine Grainger turning silver into gold. Romania

defended the Olympic gold medal, they did it again, and Great

Britain put everything into the melting pot and take the silver

medal. And, so, to Beijing, and the dominant British crew would surely

make a dull time lucky for the indomitable Scot. It will be

another silver for Great Britain. They 1 three silver medals at

consider the Olympics, so the choice is stark, give it everything

or give it up. And Katherine Grainger chose to go for it, afford

crack at the most Czechs support -- was cherished event in sport.

a fabulous result for Katherine Grainger, the silver medal. But she

has always really wanted to be part of a team. For me, rowing is about

being in might accrue. -- in and crew. It is about trying to put

everything into place to get a result. But it is about every

element of that team feeling that it is the right thing to do, and

this build Wright, from the of bus- stop it was early 2010 and we went

out to a training camp in Portugal. We thought, I am just doing my

thing, and Caton is doing her thing, but it was actually together. I

made a few calls, and she changed in exactly the way that I meant it

without me having to explain it in much details, and knowing how

strong the board are physically, I knew that if we had this technical

synergy, then it could be really special. It build good and it was

good. The 2010 campaign ended in world championship glory. Look at

this she a determination from Katherine Grainger in the stroke

seat. What a combination. They are just stretched out now, having

annihilated the field. Impressive from the first to the last. Great

Britain are the new world champions in the women's double sculls.

Katherine Grainger is used to being the number one performer in winter

training. But this time around, Anna Watkins beat her in the trials.

The clock Willie is ticking. knows what next year is about. --

really is ticking. It is in the here and now that she was second to

Anna Watkins in the singles and I'm sure that she was to come first

next year. So in the double the will have new challenge is, and new

crews to make, there. The sense of urgency and getting things right

probably builds as you go on. Katherine Grainger has had enough

of being second and it is likely that London will be our last chance

of standing on the podium, and she wants it badly, but so does her

crew made, so the knack have the air of a winning combination.

all know what Katharine is capable of. But I want it for myself.

Nobody or in the winning team -- women's team has ever won a gold

medal. This crew is special and it deserves to get special resource.

We are very much on the countdown to 2012 now. But we cannot last for

up to that point. It is all about taking steps on the way they are.

In some ways it deals round the corner, in other ways, there is a

lot to be done. Sport matters to me a great deal. I still celebrate the

highs as much as I have ever suffered the laws, but you can

also... I cannot see what shape it is going to take. I do not know

what is coming. I can see that it Katherine Grainger's dedication and

commitment is total, but it is longevity, a decade plus of

maintaining that enthusiasm, that is what sets some athletes apart

from others? Definitely. And within women's rowing it is more unusual

than men's, but it is still unusual within men's rowing, to row for

such a long period. Three silver medals, two of them outstanding

performances, the last one was a bit disappointing. The combination

with Anna works really well, there is a lot of competition between

them when they are training and Anna has beaten her up a couple of

times that trials, which pushes you on a little bit and shows you how

close they are in performance, and that closeness is really pushing

through on the overall performance. Anna has had trouble with a back

injury in the last few months, they are not in the best possible shape.

the Women's Double Sculls, Anna Watkins and Katherine Grainger from

Watkins and Katherine Grainger from Great Britain are showing things

are again looking to be almost back to normal. They are almost a length

ahead, their first real, proper ahead, their first real, proper

test in the 2011 season, and they must be very happy. At Munich, Anna

was injured and Katherine Grainger teamed up with the spare, they won

pretty convincingly. This is getting Anna back, taking it

gradually, not wanting to put any big riskiness. They are working

well together. Pressure is coming from the Australians. They are just

hanging on. Perhaps they are going slightly quicker. This is a repeat

of the World Championship final last year. Last year in the World

Championship, but a ball so well comfortable, but now they are

having to fight more, finding their way again -- the doubles were

comfortable. It was looking a bit Labour and and heavy before as the

Australian's challenge, they were gearing up to make a move. They

went up to 36 strokes a minute, they have held off the Australian

challenge. The Australians are up to 38 strokes a minute, reckoning

they have a good chance of matching them. Ready to exploit Anna's

hesitancy about her back. This is the time they really want to try to

cause some psychological damage. They are pushing hard and it is

still coming back. Into the last 500 metres we will see a great race.

The Australians are in second, Great Britain in first, first and

second from the world championships last year. Everybody else is racing

for the Brahms. Great Britain are holding a game. Look at the lens of

stroke from the British crew, Grainger, from St Andrew boat club,

Anna Watkins from Leander Club. They are thinking about being long

and relaxed. They were caught a bit by the

Australian challenge. They want to keep control and not have to sprint.

But it got heavy dealing that. It looks much easier now, much

livelier. They are moving away from Australia. They wanted to put

pressure on Watkins' back, to see if they could break her down before

the World Championships, but she looks very strong. The boat looks

much livelier as they come into the last 250 metres. The British crew

moving to a length over the world silver medallists Australia. Just

looking at Ukraine in lane number 54 stop -- lane number 5. Now some

clear water from Great Britain. They can enjoy the last bit after

doing all that was asked of them. In the last 500 they held off a

sustained attack from the Australians. It is a solid back

from Anna Watkins. They have got inside, five strokes, they can

count them in, it is a job well done. When they look back at the

gold medal they have won, you can see this was perhaps a very

significant win over Australia. Australia close in a little bit

again. They were able to maintain 36 or 37 strokes a minute ride the

way through. Great Britain first of Australia and Ukraine, a very

Australia and Ukraine, a very important win. -- first, although

Australia and Ukraine. Anna, it looked like a tough race

for your comeback international of the season? It was tough,

psychologically and tactically more than physically, probably, because

we have not had the preparation or got the confidence back that we

usually have. It was a really good race to be in the fight, we have

not had that in the doubles before, we are confident we can step up

from here. Last year with the World Championship, everyone had you down

as Britain's top crew to win gold. The field looks like it is closing

now? When we decided to come here, Anna was not backed a full racing

fitness and we had to hedge our bets whether it was worth coming,

we decided we wanted to get some tough racing under our belts. The

fact we are still ahead of the field without much preparation

together is looking quite good. Another victory, perhaps closer

than you might have thought, how much of that was down to Anna

missing so much training? I think time in the boat has been missed,

she has been training throughout but it is never quite the same

intensity if you are doing rehab training than actually being in the

boat. But I was really quite pleased with how they performed

when put under pressure. In the past, that is one that has been an

issue of crews putting pressure at major championships and faltering.

Knowing the preparation has not been brilliant, that will set them

in a really good stead for future pressure races, and there will be a

few of them. Hovering in the background is the thought, do they

double up and try to win two gold medals? They are very keen to be

able to do that. You could look at it either way, should they

concentrate on the one they are doing? They have done that before

and it has not worked at the Olympics. By doing two events, does

that break the pressure and give you more time to think about the

issues you have than the issues which have arisen from what has

happened in the past? What about someone like Kelly Holmes, winning

the 1500? It is like one is a backstop, but the backstop can end

up being your strongest event? Exactly. There are so many

different ways you can look at it. If you double up and it is

successful, you have made the right decision. If you double up and you

are not successful, either of them, at the level you want to be, it

becomes a bigger issue. Then you will be slated for doing that. Some

very big decisions to be made in the next couple of months.

We started the programme by talking about Great Britain and New Zealand,

and their rivalry, here is another pair gets away, really looking at

the centre, lane three, Great Britain, silver medallists at the

World Championships. Elaine four, New Zealand, the world champions.

Great Britain are going OPs move and relaxed, Heather Stanning in

the stroke seat closest to worse, from the army Rowing Club. She is

relaxed through 100 metres. -- in the stroke seat closest to us.

looked for a long and effective. They are settling down now, they

have picked it up at a higher rate, settling down into their race pace.

Moving very well in lane three, Great Britain. The British crew

have got almost clear water, and going away from the All Blacks tour

of New Zealand in lane number four. -- going away from the all-black

strip of New Zealand. They have really opened it up. Quite a

dangerous tactic from what is, experienced wise, a young pair.

They are so much. They have lovely legs, very relaxed, doing nothing

wrong, no complicated movements. They have settled into a nice race

pace, 34 strokes a minute. Now they just have to hold a very, very

strong middle of the race pace. big surprise in the opening quarter

of this final of the women's pair is that New Zealand's, the world

champions, they are going through in 4th place -- New Zealand, the

world champions. We are now approaching the three-

quarter way mark, look at the space between the British crew in lane

number 3 and, slowly but surely, New Zealand coming through the pack.

They have taken over the USA in a number one. Do they have the

experience as we go into the 4th quarter? This is where the

experience, wisdom and everything players in. Have the British got

the cushion to hold on to the New the cushion to hold on to the New

Zealanders, who are coming up in the overlap? New Zealand are

experienced, they are at 37 strokes a minute, you would expect the

British to react. New Zealand hunting them down, there is an

overlap. They have been a 37 strokes a minute for about three

minutes. Through 300 metres from a line, one thing is for sure, New

Zealand, the world champions, are hunting the British pair down. They

were caught napping in the first 500 metres, they were dumped off

the start and they have to work hard in the second 1000. New

Zealand are coming up again, they are about a third of a length off.

Still they are fighting to the line. The British pair have to respond.

The British crew have to go up, the world champions are coming through.

Great Britain is still there, but at the lower rate of 34 strokes per

minute. Now they are trying to respond. But watch New Zealand, the

fight is on for the last 200 metres. Inside the last 10 strokes, it will

be a race for the line. Great Britain are hanging on by about

three or four feet, we are up to the line and the British crew have

held off an incredible charge from New Zealand as they come through.

New Zealand's heads are down, they realise they got the first 1000

wrong. It will be an incredible race when they come Back Again at

the World Championship. Great Britain imperious in the first 1000,

under pressure in the second. Top of the tree over New Zealand, last

How did that feel, to beat the world champions in Lucerne?

really good feeling. We are really pleased with our performance, it is

the first time we have raised, we were coming here to beat them and

to win. It put us on a really good progression towards Bled, but at

the same time it was a really close race, so we know it is not always

done, give us six more weeks of hard training. Helen, looking at

your improvement curve, it is forever going upwards at an amazing

rate. It has been such a whirlwind 12 months, what is it like to look

back as the Lucerne winners? little bit surreal. I feel like I

really want to keep hold of this momentum, we are still improving,

and the longer we can hold back on, it is just brilliant and, like you

say, 12 months ago I would really have aspired to be where we are now,

so I think it is real justification for our hard work.

That race, Classic in terms of a rolling sense, the only sport where

you can compete backward so you can see how much closer people are

getting to you. How difficult is it when you see the gap narrowing

inexorably, to keep your calm and hold on and keep your composure?

Really tough, especially having such a big lead, then the Kiwis

came back so strong. You could see how hard the Kiwis were going. Our

girls were very steady, probably a little bit too steady in some ways!

They were feeling fatigued. But just to stay cool under that

pressure and intensity, from last year they surprised me by the

silver medal they got, but certainly they have been backing

that up this season, then beating the world champions, very, very

impressive. A couple of weeks ago at Henley,

success almost across the board, but notably for the Men's Quad, but

also for the Red express off Wells and Bateman. The last time we saw

there was at Munich, where they finished third. Could they improve

technique is not great but the speed is that. Germany leading by

almost a length over a chasing field. Great Britain are second. At

the top of your picture, France are surprised that the British crew

have not launched a big attack. Looking forward, because in the

first 500, he borrowed champions New Zealand had a complete shocker.

They seemed to be working it back. Looking at Marcus Bateman work in

this crew. New Zealand just creeping up now, moving back on

France, who was white moving very sweetly at the top of the picture.

France and New Zealand beginning to move up alongside and through Great

Britain. Great Britain are going to have to make a move and react to

all of this. Germany seemed to be well clear. Now, here comes New

Zealand. New Zealand are absolutely flying. At they have clawed their

way back. And they have had to grind it out and grinding they are.

They were dumped on the first quarter mark, but they are world

champions, first at Hamburg three weeks ago and these guys looked

like they are screaming along. to 37 strokes a minute, that is

very high in a double scull. Germany went up very hard so might

people often the last five under. That is the wrong caption on the

left-hand side. Germany in the league. Three boats hunting them

down, New Zealand leading from Great Britain and France, the

chasing pack. Germany out, and New Zealand continue to throw

everything at Great Britain, everything that Germany, and you

have got to think they could get an overlap with the Germans. The

British, Wills and Bateman, from the Leander Club, coached by Mark

Earnshaw, world silver medalists, been overhauled by world champions

New Zealand, and New Zealand have the bit between their teeth, they

can almost smell the Germans, and Great Britain has to go now that

these are on. Great Britain are at 39 strokes a minute, but New

Zealand even higher. Germany, beginning to fade. They went out so

hard, but this has been a sustained attack from New Zealand and look

how they have come through. 42 strokes a minute. They have gone

right through. That is an incredible performance from the

world champions, New Zealand. They get ahead of Germany, the early

race leaders. New Zealand, dumped in the first 500 metres, and they

have shown such class and style, showing why they are world

champions, in first place, recovered to win the gold medal.

Germany get the silver, and Great Britain get the bronze. If there is

one race and performance in terms of ducts from start to finish, that

is your crew. An extraordinary sprint. They sprinted from the 500-

metre long. Reminded me of 1992 when they started sprinting at

about 750 metres and you sprinted through the remaining world

champions, and Italy, to take the gold medal. That is what these guys

just dead. Heroic performance from easy on to take the gold medal. --

from New Zealand. I am Tom Solesbury. I am sometimes it from

the men's quad. The best thing about going for me is being truly

inspired by the dedication of my cronies. Seeing my competitors

faces after I have just crushed them. The best thing for me, Steve

Redgrave's Cola. It has been like this for two years! The worst thing

about going is getting up early morning in the winter, minus Mac

five. It is been nearly 30 and not having a penny to my name. I do not

get an even tan all over. Up to the 1,000-metre mark. Stretching out in

that middle second five, important to Neil the rhythm, hard. The

British grew up in Elaine one, led by Ben Lucas and Sam Townshend,

with Steve Rowbotham and Tom Townsend in the bows cease.

Switzerland, the whole nation is drawing the crowd on the Sunday

afternoon. The British qualified with the six slowest time in the

spinal so they might have to attack on every single stroke. They got

off well and it is the second or third 500 that they might have to

lay down their pace. But this last 500 metres, can be Max Brand? It is

difficult with a young, new crew to get that perfect cohesion when you

are up against it. -- can they sprint? Good performance in this

first 500 metres, again. It is all about stepping up. The home nation

here on the Rotsee, Switzerland, all have these profiles in training

and replicate that at a higher intensity come race day, come the

finals. Germany have had a blistering third by pundits. The

race is very tight. The race is really on, very tight, for the

silver and bronze. Look at that water up there. Just delightful to

be up there. Every stroke, they get more confident down the line. Mark

Banks in charge of this crew, an inspirational coach, when it comes

to getting in among the big names, particularly Germany, the race

leaders. Germany have opened it up. Croatia, world champions, slipping

further back. Great Britain is in there, in the hunt, and winding it

up very well moving into the last 300 metres. Australia, the world

bronze medallists from 2010, they are now going for the line. The

crowds on the far bank enjoying the spectacle. Inside the closing

stages. Germany have gone away from everybody. Now the race is on

course over Foster on the far side you have Great Britain nudging

ahead, but the Australians are coming back, it is Great Britain

and Australia, four silver, and on the line, the British crew, what a

fabulous result, silver for Great Britain. And this British quadruple

scull are getting better and better. That was spectacular, spectacular

result of Great Britain. The quadruple scull, we have never got

a medal in this, this was a fantastic performance, and they

have got a lot more to give. Britain in second place to Germany.

Australia have been etched into the bronze medal position. What a great

position to be in going into the What are your thoughts on the

double sculls? They are going to be a little disappointed. They talked

about how hard it is coming out of Henley and coming into this. It is

a mental test, of the amount of races that you have been in.

Unbelievable, they were unbelievable, New Zealand, with

sheer guts and determination, and Germany hanging on for such a long

time, from halfway along. Our guys looked smoother but did not close

the gap. And the Quatt? Again, moving on all the time. It is

impressive over the last few years, it is a boat that we have not done

very well in since it became a world championship event, only

making the world championships three times in total now. But the

sport has got a chance of getting a medal. Beating Croatia at Henley

last week, and then coming out and doing it again this time, and

finishing in a strong position. They are going to feel very upbeat

after that. Carrying that through, year on year, it is getting better

and better. The finish of the men's single sculls, that was won by the

Czech Republic. Campbell is not competing here for us. It is the

wrong time of the year to be here. Yes, he has been up and down with

illness. You can never rule him out. But this season has been very

difficult for him. Normally, he confidence, but he was very

disappointed that Munich. He won at Henley last weekend, but there was

not that stiff opposition for him. Probably a good decision not to

raise it here. To re-evaluate, and wait for the World Championships.

From when a New Zealand runner up to a New Zealand winner, he is the

single sculls, -- here is Emma Trigg. Maybe her period of

domination in the game is coming to a close. Two races, two defeat by

Germany, can the men's eight overcome their rivals? We have the

latest hour from inside the camp. It is not all about rowing and

training. Sophie Hosking talks us through her day job. At the

Chambers Brothers combine for a pastime in a World Cup event as the

world champion lightweight or look to get back to the top. Let us

start with the Women's court. First place for them at the First World

Cup regatta of the Year in Munich - through the halfway mark in second

place to push on. Great Britain have been challenged by the United

States of America and by Australia on the left, and by New Zealand to

their right. Great Britain, still nice and relaxed. A length down and

Germany going through the halfway mark. You have the Americans

hunting down on the left. You want to start focusing on the boat ahead

of you, rather than defending the boats behind you. It is all about

mindset, chasing the boat in front, and everyone behind you doing the

work. Bury Sterry in the middle part of this race, obviously

working to a plan. -- very steady. Germany have dominated this event

since its inception, only beaten two or three times in 30 years.

They are back on song. Back in the driving seat. But other crews now

are very close to them. Great Britain, having to make an attack

now. Otherwise, they are going to find there is too much to do in the

last 600 metres. Berry Flood and Annabel Vernon, silver medallists,

and this German crew knows what it is like to be in a monks ate, they

are world champions. As we head towards the 1,500m mark they have

to remain -- have to remind themselves where they stand in the

world. Great Britain in second but New Zealand have taken on the

challenge over America, so, to their right, Great Britain have to

worry, to keep their eye or New Zealand who are, all the time,

tracking down Germany. They might have got a deal over lap. It is all

about winding them in Mike coming down the final part of the track.

That was a good move. Coming up to about half a length down on Germany.

Still, New Zealand pushing hard on the far side. Great Britain need to

do something special, and have to wind it right up, up to 39 strokes

a minute, and try to pull Germany back. Germany has worked very hard

to be where they are, but Great Britain should have the flexibility

bit of a head breeze coming in. The crews will have to think about

finishing. Great Britain have responded to New Zealand's

challenge and continue to pile the pressure on Germany. Now every

single stroke, the British are starting to move. They have about

150 metres, a little over 15 strokes. Surely Germany have done

enough to hold on to the challenge? The Germans are coming to the line,

the British are continuing to wind the rate up, but it will be gold

for Germany and saw the for Great Britain. Both crews moving away

from New Zealand. New Zealand coming through in the bronze-medal

position. The exhaustion is evident in the British crew, they have had

to work hard in the last 500 metres, they gave away too much to Germany,

Tie, IM Sophie Hosking, international rower, lightweight

women's double, World Cup gold medallist and when I am not rowing,

I like to... Clean up contaminated land. Basically, I studied

chemistry and physics at university. It is an expanding area in

construction, it looked quite an interesting thing to get involved

with. Former petrol stations, Gasworks, we have worked on old

tips. Anything we can to help -- do to help clean up the environment is

great. I get a bit of banter about hard hats and steel toecap birds.

They like the fact that people do other things apart from rowing,

they seem quite interested. It is nice to come down on the site and

chat to people who don't know what to do for the rest of the time and

maybe see you on television occasionally. Rowing will only last

for so long and I need something to going to afterwards. I am all done

are looking pretty strong in the leading position. Just shy of a

length over the United States of America. Great Britain are just

sitting, those markers were wrong, Great Britain are in third position.

Into the third 500, this is a really important 500. It is where

you start to think about building it in for a line. If you can sneak

a few strokes ahead and get the gap and anticipates when your

competition will move, that will stand you in good stead in the

closing stages. They seem to be stepping it up slightly. Canada

have moved on. They have just moved through the United States, they

have a tremendous amount to do to catch cannot afford stop they are

continuing to move ahead. -- they have a tremendous amount to do to

catch Canada. Canada are well clear and under a lot of pressure. Lynne

degenerate into Tracy Cameron, the world champions in this event. --

Lynsey and Tracy Cameron. It is not as smooth as it could be. They have

great boat speed. The Canadians have a lot of lean back, it is

typical of the coaching in Canada. The surge at the finish of the

stroke gives the bowler to a good speed. It will take a big last 500

metres for the British double scull to overhaul Canada, the reigning

world champions. British are still in third place. That captured

remains wrong. -- that captured the get an overlap, they are putting in

so much effort. The Canadians are just thinking about effort to keep

the gap going. Psychologically, they are coming at it from a very

different perspective. In amongst it all, the United States of

America are in lane number 3, looking to spoil the party for the

British double scull. But both crews... The Americans look higher,

they are taking more strokes per minute than the British crew. The

British really have to respond, they don't look as dynamic. Now

they are moving a bit more dynamically. You can see the speed

going into the water, the likes coming down, but the Americans have

responded. The race for silver is going on, and the race for the gold

medal is out front. Canada are looking back, they are looking very

relaxed. 125 metres from the line, they are not going to be challenged.

They made to keep an eye on Great Britain, who are slowly getting

through the United States of America -- they need to keep an eye

on Great Britain. Inside the last 50 metres, long strokes coming from

the Canadians. The British crew are through the United States into

silver, they were almost have an overlap. Goals to Canada, -- Gold

to Canada, so will the two Great Britain and bronze to the United

States to America. -- Silva 2 Great The British will be happy with

their silver medal. What are your views on the women's

quad? Very good. I think they expect a bigger things in the first

race this season, rising British women's sculling expected bigger

things, a disappointing third, if you can be disappointed with the

bronze medal. But they have had quite a lot of illness and injury,

everyone has done different boats, it is very difficult. Two new girls

this time. A strong second place, I think they will be really pleased,

in some respects. And knowing that Fran is potentially coming back,

more strength to come, they will be really pleased that they were

pushing the Germans hard. Do you think Sophie and Hester, I was

going to say are outside contenders, but they are live contenders?

always have very mixed results. Over the last few years they have

had a couple of very good results, got to the major championships and

disappointed a little. Last year they did very well during the

season. I think they have really been given strength, they have not

been as dominant this year at the World Cup, but I think they have an

inner belief they can perform at the highest level. Why not take the

gold medal this year? And London 2012 next year, even better?

Talking about lightweight doubles, you think about Purchase and Hunter,

the Olympic champions. The men's weight -- race was won by New

Zealand. What do you think about the future of their partnership?

disappointing results at the First World Cup race. Coming back from

that, one of them came down with a virus. It has taken a long time to

recover from. Rumours within the camp have said if they can just

qualifier the boat this year with the championships, that is all we

are worried about. When the pulley player comes back, he adds so much

to the crew. Hopefully he will be back for these world championships.

If he is back, the contenders will be... But on the grapevine, it is

let's concentrate on next year. Let's talk about the lightweight

fours, which invariably provides the most exciting race. This

particular event is very special for the Chambers family, both

brothers competing in the same boat in a World Cup for the very first

it, it is tight. At the halfway mark, very little between all six

boats. Australia have kicked back, the South Africans are leading

slightly. Australia, who had a bit of a slowdown into the second 500,

they are at speed again. This is the most exciting race. Really

can't afford a single mistake on any single stroke. They had just

slipped into the lead, I don't know why the chart on the left showed

them in 5th, they were well up. They have just eased into the front.

Can they sustain it? Can they turn it on in the last 500 when

everybody will attack? Richard Chambers is in the bow seat, his

brother Peter is also there, Paul Mattick, Rob Williams, a really

good, tight knit group. We are watching Switzerland in lane number

to. Great Britain are coached by Rob Morgan. Very good experience,

they trust each other, which will now be called for as we get towards

the business and. 750 metres to go in the final of the men's

lightweight coxless four. The crew average maximum individual cannot

exceed 72.5 kilograms, the crew average cannot exceed 70 telegrams.

What Denmark at the top of the picture as they really start to

motor. -- and what Denmark. -- and discount a single boat at this

stage in the race. The British are right up there, almost on the edge

of a sprint. They have probably got one more sprint level to go.

Switzerland in amongst it all, hanging on for dear life. In lane

number 1, Denmark a game will push on hard. Switzerland are 40 strokes

a minute, Great Britain moving up through 39 strokes a minute. Still

a little bit more to go. Chamber as his four years younger than his

older brother. He just slotted in and it is really sweet -- chambers

his four years younger. They are being attacked, here we are in the

dangerous part of the race. 200 metres remaining, surely they have

done enough to hang on? Every single one of them is coming back.

Great Britain are in front, they are moving away, it has been

beautifully timed. They have moved it up now and in the last 150

metres they are shooting. British crew have done enough, but

the Australians attack harder. Here come the Italians and the Danes,

but it is gold for Great Britain. It is sold before Italy, we wait

for the full, -- it is a silver medal for Italy, we wait for the

full confirmation for the bronze medal. Brotherly love, that is

great. What a triumph for Peter Chambers to be a winner here and,

as I say, the injured Chris Barclay will struggle to get back in, that

was a very sweet line-up. All credit to Rob Williams in the

stroke seat, he did a great job. wonderful performance for Great

Tallis about your little brother and what he has done? -- tell us

about? I am so proud. To come into a boat that expects gold every time,

that is massive. He delivered a good performance and support to

this the whole way through. We have come away with a whim, he has shown

his immaturity of the last couple of weeks and it has been awesome to

race with him. -- he has shown his maturity over the last couple of

weeks. Haven't you won more than he did at the age of 21? I don't know,

we will have to see! We did some good races, we had a good plan and

went out and did it. How special was it to row with your older

brother? It is our first time together, and the fact that we won

on the properly -- on the first time we race to together, I am

proud. Tremendously exciting and a great result. You can get too

carried away, but fantastic for the Chambers family? Brilliant for the

brothers and the family. I think it is outstanding the way they

conducted themselves over this week. They were bitterly disappointed

with their performance at Munich, even though they came back into it

in the last race, but they were swaggering around as world

champions, we are the best. They did not produce the goods they felt

they could, they went away, worked on it and came back, you can always

see lightweight coxless fours, they are very tight. They were racing

some talented groups, who blew them away in lightweight terms. The

margin does not seem very much, but for some reason in lightweight fors,

it is a big margin. They will be pleased, going into the world

championships. Just a couple more races to show you, the Women's

Eight and the Men's Eight, but first he is Greg Searle with his

Ready? Hands on, and left. We in Munich for the first of the 2011

World Cup races, and it is the morning of the final. It is our job

to make sure that we do not play out the usual script for the

Germans, which is for them to get a place and does not to be able to

get back on terms. Today, we need to be different. Germany, the world

champions, out fast in the Green vote. Germany gets the gold, Great

Britain get the silver, they knew that they live in Germany slip

through too much in the vast 500 metres. We did play out exactly the

script which we have had before when racing the Germans. We had

hoped they would not be that fast, but they are fast, they trained

hard, too, and they rode quite well. The message is clear, we need to

make sure that we go faster because that is going to be boring, if that

happens every time between now and the Olympics. But I trust our

coaches and the rest of the team, that people want it and a hungry

for it, just as much as I am. It is 2nd July, 2011. Henley Royal

Regatta. It is a very classy event. The Australians are good and the

Germans are here. We need to be right on our game. Training has

been interesting for the last month. We have had a situation with E-coli,

which meant that we did not race in my handbag. This is the first race

since Munich, which was five weeks ago now. And going to lose to the

Germans, but I feel like we have made progress and eventually we

will get past them. This gives us the rage, that we need to do

something about this. We have got to use that to make a stronger and

make us raise better next weekend, The legs will be burning but they

have to go one more time, to step up the raised profile, all the

training demand, around the 1,000- metre mark, but the Germans put

everything into the first half, and always just hang on. And Canada

going very strongly in lane five. The British crew continue to be up

there. They no they have got a quick second half, if everything

comes together. Germany have not got their usual one light lead at

the halfway mark. The British crew over in lane six, they no they have

to wind it up and reel in the Germans. USA at the top of the

picture, they were into place, but still moving quite well. -- in the

5th place. The Germans are just running that bought out. The boat

once on an they are on to it very quickly. -- the boat runs on.

Confidence in that German crew, sky-high. America, in 6th place, in

early No. 1, in amongst it all as well. The United States are rowing

technically well. 10 McClaren, their coach, working hard on

getting their technique improved. He is trying to make them work in

small boats, just work a little bit more effectively, more in sympathy

with at the boat and with the water around them. A as we get the wards

the closing stages, there is going to be a lot of noise. 500 metres

remain. The Germans three-quarters of a live up on the United States.

At Great Britain in and around third position. That caption was

wrong. Now the British have to just lift it up, keep tunnel vision in

the British crew and think about the 30 strokes up towards the line.

Dan Ritchie in the stern, pushing them on. He but the Germans will

sense everyone coming back at them. The latest days moving very fast

now. The United States are at 38 strokes a minute. Germany, looking

strong. They have the tandem rig in the middle of the board. Four or

five on the same side. And it makes that boat go straight and move very

well. You cannot see them, but there have been mounting a

challenge. They will be stunned by the fees from the Netherlands and

Poland but now they are moving. 200m remaining. The Netherlands in

Elaine four, pushing on, it is going to be a sprint for the line.

Great Britain fighting for the bronze medal. United States hanging

on, Germany has got the gold, benevolence attacked Great Britain

one more time, it is Germany for gold, and the British are now

coming, almost on the line, this could be for a medal, Germany

through, and it'll be a photo- finish for the silver medal between

Great Britain and the Netherlands. And it does not get any closer than

that. Germany hung on out there, ahead, but Great Britain had the

sprint to get in. Again, the Netherlands find the closing speech

to come right back into it. -- speed. Silver for the Netherlands

and bronze for Great Britain. The great British crew on the medal

podium, but things getting so close America going through the 1,500m

mark -- and the United States of America. They should think about

keeping the line, the quicker on the catches and they could catch

the Netherlands. If they can do that that would be a great sculp in

this race. Canada just crept up and crept up. The Netherlands being

left behind over the last bite hundred metres. Canada will start

to raise up to 38 strokes a minute, and try to match the Nikkei stays

on the run-in. -- the United States. The naked spacer America have led

the way. By -- the United States experience there to let this slip

now. Lesley Thomson just driving on heart crew, 150 metres remaining.

Great Britain being pushed hard by Caroline or corner in lane one. The

Americans have pen strokes to the line. The Americans lead over

Canada. Not much in it. It is the US, from Canada, from the

Netherlands, from Great Britain. And that his goal to the USA.

Silver for Canada, the Netherlands get the bronze, and Great Britain

coming through in opposition. The I am going to ask a British -- a

difficult question - which British victory as impressed you most?

is a difficult question to answer. Perhaps the Women's Pair. The match

were completely brilliant, dominant. And what style from the lightweight

four. By we have just had a cracking day. You have coaches

meetings coming up. Do you expect any change to these crews before

the World Championships? I didn't announce them on air. We have a few

things to talk about. But it is good decision-making from a strong

position, to squeeze up the medals, and so on. It will be a hard

decision to make but we will announce the team on Tuesday week.

There was a time, 30 years ago, when one bronze medal would have

been regarded as a success. This is fantastic, isn't it? But a mite

cold, four Silva and two bronze -- for gold, four silvers, and two

bronze. They might have put all this together, and if we can do it

in July and August of next year, that is going to be incredible. It

is almost East German like, in some ways. They used to win everything

when I started out, with two boats that would come first and second.

New Zealand are performing well as a team. But there is nobody else

who is there, in it. Germany have some good boats, but they are not

beer in debt. Almost every Olympic category, we are contesting for

medals. You do not want to get ahead of yourself, because pride

comes before a ball, but are we all lost on the cusp of this British

rowing team doing what the cycling team did in Beijing? Very possible.

I think that, to win as many gold medals as the cycling team, is

going to be very tough. But if you talk to any of the individual boats,

taking out the women's single, the weakest event, all of them have

chances of winning a medal. And if they could be gold medals. There

are 14 Olympic events. If you're talking about 13 Bury good chances.

-- very good. Could you might hear as well? Yes, the double sculls was

even closer than the lightweight fours at Lucerne. Plenty more spoke

to alert you to on BBC television. The Open golf at San which starts

on Thursday. -- Sandwich. You can follow that across all platforms.

Then the Rowing Championships at Lake Bled, coverage on the red

button and highlights on BBC One on You won't miss a stroke. Thanks to

everybody at the Bolton Regatta, and as you can see the sport at

this level is very vibrant. It has been lovely at this beer. And at