Another gold for cassells

The Coleraine-Kirriemuir combination took victory in style on Switzerland’s Rotsee lake, leading from the outset at the weekend.

Behind them, for the early part of the race, the Italians and Danes battled for second and third in an international class in which Great Britain is also the reigning World Champion nation.

Whilst GB repelled all attacks to win in 6:31.03, the French came flying through to take silver with the Italians, who had looked a danger with 500m to go, in bronze.

“It’s my first time here in Lucerne and it was always going to be an exciting experience, racing at the world’s best rowing venue”, said Cassells.

“We’ve got a good partnership going so far – we haven’t lost a race yet, so hopefully we can keep that record up. I really enjoy racing in the pair and Sam is a master at it, it’s great to row with him.”

“I don’t think we went out any harder than normal”, said Scrimgeour.

“One of our strengths is the start and it’s better when we are out front, we can relax into it.”

The lightweight men’s double raced here for the first time since Richard Chambers injured his hand and they looked fast in the early phases before showing their lack of race practice in the final quarter of the race. Chris Bartley, Mark Aldred, Jono Clegg and Peter Chambers made a strong challenge for bronze until the final 250m when they faded.

Alan Campbell showed an upward curve from his European Championships performance to take fifth place in the open men’s single scull in a race won by Mahe Drysdale of New Zealand.

“I as a bit tired from yesterday and I didn’t race very well in the semi-final and that was my downfall not today,” said Campbell.

“I feel very confident and I feel back in a good way and I’m very positive.”