London 2012 gold medallists Helen Glover and Heather Stanning successfully defended their European titles as Great Britain’s rowers enjoyed a day to remember at the European Championships.
The team finished top of the medal table, winning four golds, two silvers and a bronze in Brandenburg – with Glover and Stanning on the top step of the podium in the women’s pair.
And Glover expects the squad to benefit from the success which came in tricky conditions with strong cross-winds in Germany.
“There were waves coming over my back at the start but racing here has up-skilled us. We may have cross-wind conditions in Rio so it was good to race in them,” she said.
Stanning added: “We may be an experienced crew but we’re not experienced in these conditions. So we had to concentrate.
“It was a very technical row and looking after the boat was very important in those conditions – it wasn’t too much fun out there.”
The men’s four also found golden form as Alex Gregory, Mohamed Sbihi, George Nash and Constantine Louloudis won their race ahead of Belarus and France.
“It was very hard to do what we normally try to in training but it was a real test of our boatmanship,” said Gregory.
“I am really pleased with the start we have made and I am excited to find out what we can do from here.
“I’ve been in the coxless four for a number of years now and this is feeling good. It’s a good boat, so it’s exciting times.”
Team-mate Sbihi was pleased with how the group handled the difficult waters.
“I didn’t need to call for a big push at the end. We had the length at the end,” he added.
“They were tough conditions. Every time we got some boat-speed the wind hit us but you have to deal with the conditions on the day. A win’s a win.
“Next up is the World Cup and there will of course be all the nations there – we’ll be able to check where we are in relation to the rest of the field, but today was a good marker and a confidence booster.”
A new-look women’s eight smashed past the Dutch crew in the closing stages of the race, and the lightweight men’s pairing of Sam Scrimgeour and Joel Cassells also picked up gold.
Alan Sinclair and Stewart Innes added silver after being pipped by Hungary, while Chris Bartley, Mark Aldred, Jono Clegg and Peter Chambers also had to settle for second behind reigning World Champions Switzerland in the lightweight men’s four.
Sir David Tanner, GB Rowing Team Performance Director, said: “It’s been a day of mixed fortunes for the team with some exceptional performances, especially our four golds.
“Conditions have bordered on the extreme and have been a tough challenge for all nations but we are an outdoor sport and have to accept that.
“It’s now onto Lucerne for the World Cup in late May where we will hope for calmer water.”
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Sportsbeat 2016