The US won the women's four ahead of Britain, who surprisingly won the silver medal, holding off New Zealand.

Britain's the men's eight, meanwhile, overcame Germany to win silver spurred on by a vocal home support.

The race was won by an ectsatic Italian crew, coxed by Enrico d'Anellio.

"I'm very pleased with our medals," said David Tanner, GB Rowing's performance director.

"Both crews rowed to the top of their game to do that.

"They won silver medals against very tough opposition in both events for GB today."

Ireland took its first ever medal at the Championships when Holly Nixon, from the Portora club in Enniskillen, took silver in the lightweight single scull.

Germany's Anne Beenken won the race, with Nixon closing fast on her at the finish.


There are fears that cross-winds will affect the competition next year but so far the event, taking place on a course in the shadow of Windsor Castle, has been a success.

London 2012 have decided to employ the services of a team from the Met Office to ensure that they have the most accurate weather data available when the competition begins on July 28 next year.

The team will provide hourly updates to organisers so they can ensure no team is aided too much by any cross wind and warn of any forthcoming bad weather.

FISA chairman events, Mike Tanner, who will oversee racing at the Olympics, has been satisfied with the help the team have provided so far during the Junior Championships and reported few issues of concern.

"Preparations have gone very well and we have been very happy about what has been done and the prospects for next year," he said.

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