London Olympics 2012: Britain rules the Olympic waves

London: Great Britain reaped a record Olympic harvest at the London 2012 rowing regatta which concluded Saturday with the host nation claiming two of the four concluding finals.

Arguably the most successful day in British rowing history began with Alex Gregory, Pete Reed, Tom James and Andrew Triggs Hodge winning the country`s fourth successive men`s four title. The home crew led from the first stroke to deny arch rivals Australia, with the United States taking bronze. After maintaining the host nation`s grip on the division, Triggs Hodge said: "That was our masterpiece; it took four years to make." James added: "When it started raining I knew this was our day. The atmosphere was epic, magic and phenomenal." Reed chipped in: "Double Olympic champion, I can`t believe it -- all the hours, the pain, it was all worth it in the end." Next to take to the water at Eton Dorney were Katherine Copeland and Sophie Hosking who won Britain`s first ever lightweight women`s double sculls gold. Clear water separated the winners from China, with world champions Greece in third place. "We`ll be on a (postage) stamp tomorrow," beamed Copeland who had only teamed up with Hosking this year. She added: "I know this isn`t the Oscars, but can I just thank my mum and dad?" That result doubled Britain`s gold haul from Beijing and matched the four titles they won back in 1908, in London. AGENCIES