Eight finalists for Brits

Britain's impressive list of rowing finalists has increased to eight - four more than Team GB managed at either of the last Olympics - on another successful day in Shunyi.

Alan Campbell led the way in the single-sculls and was soon followed into the finals by the double sculls of Matt Wells and Stephen Rowbotham before the flagship men's four took centre stage.

Steve Williams, Andy Triggs Hodge, Pete Reed and Tom James produced another commanding performance to win their semi-final by half a length from Australia.

Britain's women's eight rounded off the day by finishing third in a hard-fought repechage to qualify for the final and take the Team GB total up to eight.

Great Britain had equalled their tally from Sydney and Athens of four finalists on Tuesday night, when Olivia Whitlam and Louisa Reeve came second in the women's pair repechage.

Thrilling finish

Campbell improved on that record at the first attempt after producing a late sprint to reach his first Olympic final.

The Ulsterman edged triple world champion Mahe Drysdale into third place and Greek paddler Ioannis Christou out of the reckoning in a thrilling finish.

"My first Olympic final - I am ecstatic," said Campbell.

"I have been stepping it up every time. It was a step up again today. I had to do the sprint finish but it was brilliant.

"It was very close in the end. I am more than pleased with that. I would have taken any of the top three places. I am in the final and I don't care what lane I get."

Disappointed

The heat was won by world silver medallist Ondrej Synek. Mahe qualified from third place and, with reigning Olympic champion Olaf Tufte also through to the final, Campbell faces tough competition for a medal.

Wells and Rowbotham are considered dark horses for a double scull medal and, despite securing qualification, they were disappointed with their performance in finishing third.

"That was a good challenge for us because in the final more crews will stay with us for longer," said Williams.

"We have come a long way from the heat but and we'll have to step on it again but seeing where we have come from over the last three days I would back ourselves to do it."

Ireland's men's four of Cormac Folan, Sean Casey, Jonno Devlin and Sean O'Neill finished last in the semi-final, over three seconds down on the British crew.