The legendary 2000 coxless four feel the strain of competing for the first time in five years at the Rowing World Cup at Eton DorneyThe men's quartet crowned a fantastic weekend for British Rowing in the first international regatta to take place at Eton Dorney, which would host Rowing events if London is awarded the 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games.
Athens gold medallist Steve Williams linked up with Peter Reed, Alex Partridge and Andrew Hodge in the four, who never looked in trouble after taking the lead early in the race.
And the home crowd enjoyed further success in the women's quadruple scull, who came home less than half a second in front of the Russian crew in a nail-biting climax.
British team manager David Tanner hailed the event as major boost for Rowing in this country.
"This has been the best organised World Cup ever," he said. "We had a great crowd today rooting for our crews.
"We're set now to deliver a fantastic World Championships in August next year."
The Bank Holiday crowd also enjoyed a re-run of the 2000 Sydney coxless four race in which Sir Steve Redgrave claimed his fifth consecutive Olympic title.
The 500m sprint race, which was organised by Sir Steve to raise funds for victims of the Asian tsunami, saw the victorious GB crew united for the first time since Sydney.
Despite a strong start, the British four were unable to hold off the challenge of crews from Italy and Slovenia.
After the race, the Rowing legend and London 2012 Athletes' Advisory Group Chair hailed the performance of the next generation of British rowers.
"They are very big shoes that they are going to have to fill, but I was impressed with them today," he said.
"We will now have to see how they get on against stronger opposition."
31 May 2005
