Britain maintained their golden supremacy over Australia on Dorney Lake with a superb victory in the final of the men's four. It is the fourth Games in a row that GB have won the event, equalling the all-time record set by the British between 1908 and 1932 and East Germany between 1968 and 1980.
The long run of success dates all the way back to Sir Steve Redgrave's farewell flourish in Sydney 12 years ago. Andy Triggs Hodge, Tom James and Pete Reed were all in the crew which beat the Aussies in Beijing last time and, together with Alex Gregory, produced another magnificent effort when it mattered most.
GB, who had already scored a psychologically useful win over their rivals in the semi-final, led virtually from the start in lane six to prove themselves worthy heirs to former gold medallists Redgrave, Sir Matthew Pinsent and James Cracknell. The GB boat also gained revenge for their defeat to the Australians at the World Cup event in Munich in June. The bronze medal went to the United States.
In the next race, the women's pair of Katherine Copeland and Sophie Hopking upset the world champions Greece.
In the final race, there was controversy as the race had to be restarted after a seat in Purchase and Hunter's boat broke. Once the race got underway again, the British crew led for most of the way but were overhauled in the last 50m by the Danes.
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image: © Fighting Irish 1977
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