Reed leads British trials

However, at the head of the men’s pairs race remained a familiar name: Olympic Champion Peter Reed led the way with partner Alex Gregory, 24, finishing the 5km time trial in 17:26.08.

Finishing behind Reed and Gregory were Dan Ritchie and Tom Wilkinson who are moving through into the senior ranks from under-23 racing.

Katherine Grainger made her first trials appearance since the Beijing Olympics. Grainger is Great Britain’s most successful woman Olympic rower and has dominated the single at British trials in recent years. Her post-Olympic break, however, must have been reflected when she finished in seventh position in the women’s single. Beth Rodford was the fastest on the day finishing ahead of Olympic silver medallist, Annie Vernon.

Alan Campbell was back on top in the men’s single after finishing third at the December trials. Campbell was a solid 16 seconds ahead of Ian Lawson with Olympic Champion from the men’s four, Andrew Triggs Hodge finishing third.

In the lightweight singles events Sophie Hosking was at the head of the field for the women. Hosking, 23, raced last year for Great Britain in the lightweight women’s quad and was first in the single at the December trials. Laura Greenhalgh followed just three seconds back in second with Andrea Dennis in third.

The lightweight men’s single was won by Adam Freeman-Pask who finished the 5km course in 16:27.92. Paul Mattick, of the British Olympic lightweight four, was just two seconds slower in second. Olympic reserve, Rob Williams finished third.