Duo win GB's solitary gold in Munich (UK users only)

Sophie Hosking and Hester Goodsell won gold in the lightweight women's double sculls on an otherwise disappointing day for Great Britain in Munich.

Ro Bradbury, Beth Rodford, Sarah Cowburn and Katie Greves claimed silver in the quadruple scull on Sunday.

Peter Reed and Andrew Triggs Hodge came home second in the men's pair, as did Alan Campbell in the single scull.

The GB team also claimed three bronzes but Katherine Grainger finished out of the medals at the World Cup event.

GB, who also won a bronze on Saturday, still lead the overall standings after two events but the team performed well below expectations after claiming nine of the 14 gold medals in the opening World Cup regatta in Spain.

Campbell defeated by Drysdale

Steve Rowbotham and Matt Wells - Olympic bronze medallists and winners in Banyoles, Spain three weeks ago - were expected to earn yet more glory in the double scull.

But, like single sculler Grainger, the pair finished fourth.

The men's quadruple scull were also unlucky to come away with nothing.

Having qualified for the final in style, Bill Lucas suffered illness and Rowbotham was put in as a substitute. The boat came home in fourth position.

"I'm not going to say we were at our best and some of our leading boats did not quite deliver," said GB Rowing performance director David Tanner.

"But we have some really good green shoots within the team who have the ability to step up in a season of change and growth."

But Hosking and Goodsell did at least provide some genuine success for GB on the final day in Munich.

Hosking and Goodsell claimed GB's first gold in the lightweight double sculls

It was Britain's first ever gold in the category, with the duo coming home ahead of Germany in second and Poland who were third.

"We talked about making history on Saturday but then decided to put those thoughts away and concentrate on the process," said Hosking.

Campbell continues to impress after the pain of having his Olympic year disrupted by knee surgery.

Having won three weeks ago in Banyoles, he was the early race leader on Sunday but was pipped by New Zealand's reigning world champion Mahe Drysdale with Olympic gold medallist Olaf Tufte third.

"I have definitely moved on this year but Mahe just had too much in the middle of the race," said Campbell.

"It's Henley next. That's my territory and he'll have to work hard there to beat me."

Despite failing to take gold, Reed and Hodge were not too despondent with their performance.

The duo are just getting used to rowing in a pair having spent several seasons as part of a quartet.

Reed and Hodge were beaten to gold by New Zealand's Eric Murray and Hamish Bond, with the Dutch duo of David Kuiper and Mitchel Steenman third.

606: DEBATE Have your say on the action in Munich

The uplifting GB performance of the day came in the women's quadruple scull, who took silver behind Germany.

The new-look crew have only raced together twice and looked good, despite their relative inexperience.

Bulgaria finished behind them to take the bronze, and the GB crew were delighted with their performance.

"We need to carry on making steps as the Germans are a way ahead of us. The gap won't be like that in two months' time," admitted Greves.

There were also three bronze medals for GB in Munich on Sunday to add to the one won on Saturday.

Saturday's bronze came from Adam Freeman Pask in the lightweight single scull, with Duncan Grant of New Zealand claiming gold and Ondrej Luzek taking silver.

Alex Partridge, Ric Egington, Alex Gregory and Matt Langridge took bronze in the men's four with Germany claiming a one-two.

In the women's double scull Annie Vernon and Anna Bebington finished ahead of Bulgaria to claim a well-deserved bronze medal.

Britain's only other medal came from the men's eight, with the team of Tom Wikinson, Dan Ritchie, James Orme, Tom Burton, Mohammed Sbihi, Tom Solesbury, Tom Ransley and James Clarke, finishing behind Germany and Poland.

Many of Great Britain's crews are in action next at Henley Royal Regatta, staged from 1-5 July.

World Cup bronze for British double

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version