The host nation pulled off a successful defense of its gold medal in rowing at the men's four event at Dorney Lake on Saturday. Great Britain edged rival Australia with a time of 6:03:97, leading from start to finish to capture the gold by half a length. The foursome of Andrew Triggs Hodge, Alex Gregory, Pete Reed and Tom James thrilled the home crowd in an event they have historically owned. Team USA came in behind the Aussies to take the Bronze with a time of 6:07:20. It's the first medal for the USA in this event in 20 years.
The duo of Katherine Copeland and Sophie Hosking also brought home rowing gold for Britain in the women's lightweight double sculls. They are the third female pairing to win gold for the home crowd, coming across the line with a time of 7:09:30. Greece jumped out to the quick start but the British took control over the final 750 meters to win the country's fourth gold of the regatta in a record showing for the host country. The pairing embraced after crossing the finish line more than two seconds ahead of China, who took the silver. Greece earned the bronze, the country's second medal of the games.
Britain was narrowly defeated by Denmark in the men's lightweight double sculls, with Mads Rasmussen and Rasmus Quist turning in a time of 6:37:17. It was the country's first gold medal of the Olympic regatta as they took down the defending champions by .51 seconds. There was a restart in the race after it appeared the seat of one of the Brits came unhinged. The teams had not rowed more than 100 meters, allowing for the restart. Quist and Rasmussen then took advantage and brought home the gold. The New Zealand duo of Peter Taylor and Uru Storm won bronze.
The Czech Republic's Miroslava Knapkova dominated the women's single sculls earlier at Dorney, winning gold handily. Knapkova crossed two lengths ahead of silver medal winner Fie Udby of Denmark to win the first rowing gold medal in the country's history. Kim Crow of Australia took bronze.
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