They were drawn together today, despite their pedigrees, because of Hunter and Purchase’s topsy-turvy results at recent world cups.

Sophie Hosking and Kat Copeland in the equivalent women’s GB boat will also feature on the same day’s race card. The duo unleashed a powerful surge just beyond halfway and went on to win in 6:59.97 – by far the fastest time across the three heats.

Whilst the British women’s eight, bronze medallists at the season’s final world cup, admitted that they weren’t at their best today in finishing third in a heat won convincingly by the Olympic champions from the USA, they believe there is more to come in Tuesday’s repechage.

WHAT’S AHEAD FOR THE ROWERS?

Katherine Grainger and Anna Watkins open their Olympic account tomorrow in the heats of the women’s double scull as do the men’s four of Alex Gregory, Pete Reed, Tom James and Andrew Triggs Hodge.

The British men’s eight, featuring three returning Beijing silver medallists Alex Partridge, Matt Langridge and Ric Egington will race their repechage of the men’s eight.

Beijing quadruple scull silver medallists Frances Houghton and Debbie Flood line up with Melanie Wilson and Beth Rodford in the repechage of the same event here tomorrow.

Racing starts at 09.30.

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