Rowing bosses amazed by British success at World Championships

Rowing bosses admitted they were taken aback at the extent of Great Britain's dominance at the World Championships. Britain won seven gold medals, more than ever before, to finish top of the medal table in RaÄice, Czech Republic. Ad Where Dutch and Australian rivals outstripped them to Olympic medals in Tokyo, British crews stole a march by yawning margins in key boat classes.

RowingPritchard PB propels Britain to top of the pile at World Rowing Championships3 HOURS AGO «I think we felt the rest of the world would step on more than they have done here,» said Director of Performance Louise Kingsley. «It's been fantastic to come out and demonstrate the standards that we're at. »We're in a fantastic place and we've definitely got one eye on Paris.

We can't sit here and rest on our laurels because there's still plenty we can work on." From the outside looking in it was a seamless machine that delivered 12 medals, three golds in Paralympic classes and four in Olympic events. But there were bumps on the way — not least an on-water accident that saw the men's pair crash into a rival boat and render their racing shell unusable. Men's four member Matt Aldridge and coach Christian Felkel were both consigned to their hotel rooms for the majority of the regatta due to illness.

Men's head coach Paul Stannard said: «It's a credit to the team that you wouldn't have known any of that was going on. »We were all calm, incredibly together, all on the same page and completely unflustered. «We knew it was going well but if you'd said at the start of the season that we'd get these results, we'd never have believed you.