2010 World Rowing Championships finishes with German eight splendour

The final day at the 2010 World Rowing Championships in Karapiro, New Zealand closed with a dominating display by the German men's eight in this blue riband event. The Germans came into this final as the reigning World Champions and despite this burden resting on their shoulders, the crew proved that they could bring everything together two years running. Their win helped put the German team into second on the overall medals table and relegated the powerful British into second.

The United States followed in a similar dominating fashion to the German men in the women's eight. They also successfully defended their World Champion title by leading from start to finish. This race saw the rise of Canada who not only pressed the Americans, but managed to outrace the powerful Romanians.

New Zealand's huge crowd support helped bring home locals Nathan Cohen and Joseph Sullivan into first in the men's double sculls. Cohen and Sullivan sat behind Great Britain's Matthew Wells and Marcus Bateman for 1800m of the 2000m race, before the home crowd roar buoyed the Kiwi boys into gold ahead of the British. The British, however, showed their strength in the women's double sculls. Katherine Grainger and Anna Watkins of Great Britain are the flagship women's crew for their country and no other crew could touch them in today's final.

Marcello Miani of Italy became the fastest lightweight single sculler today when he won the lightweight men's single scull. Miani held off favourite Peter Galambos of Hungary to take the title. Galambos finished third after former World Champion, Lukas Babac of Slovakia sprinted through to take silver.

In the lightweight women's single scull, Marie-Louise Draeger won and with that win became the only rower at this regatta to win more than one medal. Draeger also took gold when she raced yesterday in the lightweight women's quadruple sculls.

Reigning World Champions, Italy found themselves at the wrong end of the medals when they were outraced by Germany and Australia in the lightweight men's eight. Germany took gold with Australia in silver position.

In the closing ceremony of the 2010 World Rowing Championships, the International Rowing Federation, FISA, handed the mantel to Bled, Slovenia. Bled will host the 2011 World Rowing Championships.

Lightweight Women's Single Sculls (LW1x) - A Final
Results: GER, NZL, ITA, BRA, SWE, USA

Lightweight Men's Single Sculls (LM1x) - A Final
Results: ITA, SVK, HUN, DEN, JPN, GBR

Lightweight Men's Eight (LM8+) - Final
Results: GER, AUS, ITA, CHN, USA

Women's Double Sculls (W2x) - A Final
Results: GBR, AUS, POL, CZE, USA, GER

Men's Double Sculls (M2x) - A Final
Results: NZL, GBR, FRA, NOR, AUS, GER

Women's Eight (W8+) - A Final
Results: USA, CAN, ROU, GBR, NED, CHN

Men's Eight (M8+) - A Final
Results:  GER, GBR, AUS, NED, NZL, USA

Detailed results, race reports, athlete quotes, photos and more are available on

www.worldrowing.com .