Fab Four smash all records with gold to ensure Britain really rules waves

Britain's rowers set new standards at the World Cup finals in Lucerne by becoming overall champions for the first time after winning two gold medals, three silvers and one bronze on the final day of competition.

The lightweight men's four of Richard Chambers, James Lindsay-Flynn, James Clarke and Paul Mattick became the first British crew to win a World Cup gold medal.

The victory, which followed bronze at the first World Cup in Linz and silver at the second in Amsterdam, was enough for them to become individual World Cup champions in only their first season together.

"The highlight has been winning a good clutch of medals," said performance director David Tanner, explaining that the lightweight four's result was significant, given Britain's previous failures.

"Lightweights have been in the Olympics since 1996 and we've never won a gold medal in an Olympic class lightweight boat before," he added.

The women's quad, who were reigning world champions, also took gold. Stroked by Katherine Grainger, the crew of Fran Houghton, Debbie Flood and Annie Vernon fought off a fierce German challenge to triumph, with Romania third.

Taken together with results from the two earlier World Cups, the quad become individual World Cup champions. "We went out to take it on and we did," said Flood.

Silver medals went to single sculler Alan Campbell, double scullers Stephen Rowbotham and Matt Wells, and the men's four of Peter Reed, Tom James, Steve Williams and Andy Hodge.

The four, Britain's flagship boat, were without regular Alex Partridge, who injured a knee.

His place went to James and although the crew took an early lead they were edged out by the Dutch crew. Partridge, who lost his place in the men's four for the 2004 Olympics because of injury, is expected to resume training soon.

Zac Purchase and Mark Hunter took bronze in the lightweight men's double.