Great Britain's men's four made a powerful statement on day one of the World Cup event in Lucerne by setting a world-best time in qualifying.
Pete Reed, Andrew Triggs-Hodge, Tom James and Alex Gregory won their heat in five minutes 37.86 seconds. The GB four won the opening World Cup in Belgrade but face tougher opposition in Lucerne, with Australia also qualifying well on their 2012 debut. "We didn't set out to get the world record," James told GB Rowing. "The time is nice but it's about finding consistency." Lucerne is the last competition before GB's Olympic rowing squad is named on 6 June, and fast conditons led to a number of record marks being set on Friday. Crews from New Zealand, Australia, the USA and elsewhere are making their season's debuts in Switzerland after skipping Belgrade earlier this month, where Britain won four golds. Leading London hopes Katherine Grainger and Anna Watkins won their heat in the women's double scull, while Zac Purchase and Mark Hunter made it through in second place in the lightweight men's double. Helen Glover and Heather Stanning followed up their victory in Belgrade by winning their heat of the women's pair by clear water to qualify for Saturday's semi-finals.
25 May 2012 Last updated at 12:19
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/olympics/18151932
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