Rowing: Britain's mixed fortunes as stomach bug strikes

A stomach bug grounded competitors from eight countries at the World Cup in Lucerne yesterday, causing Britain's women's four to withdraw and Alex Beever to replace Rebecca Romero in the double sculls, narrowly missing a place in today's final.

Britain's coxless four qualified for the top six along with Germany and Canada, while Italy, Slovenia and Russia came through the other semi-final.

The men's eight had a tough draw and a change of personnel when Phil Simmons moved to the stroke seat vacated by Tom James (back injury), and Olympic champion Kieran West came in at four. Australia and then Germany led, and Britain's attempt at qualifying was scuppered by Croatia and France.

The women's lightweight double scullers, Helen Casey and Tracy Langlands, finished second in their semi, bringing Britain's total of finalists in Olympic events to four.