Rowing for gold
Sir Matthew Pinsent told Sky Sports News HD that Great Britain's rowers will flourish next summer.
Last Updated: 27/07/11 1:10pm
Olympic legend Sir Matthew Pinsent expects the Great Britain rowing team to lead the medal charge next summer.
Pinsent, who struck gold in 1992, 1996, 2000 and 2004, is expecting the current crop to match that haul when they take to the water at Eton-Dorney in a year's time.
Great Britain's men and women and the overall team all sit top of the world rankings after the third event of the 2011 World Cup in Switzerland - and that despite pulling out of the second round in Hamburg due to the e.coli scare earlier this summer.
And as the countdown to London 2012 got underway in East London, Pinsent predicted more success when it really matters next year.
"We're looking absolutely amazing," he told Sky Sports News HD.
"We are the number-one ranked nation in the world - which never used to happen when Steve Redgrave and I were rowing - and that's a great source of pride for all of is who are involved in the sport.
"There are 14 Olympic rowing classes in London which we will be competing and I think we will win medals in nine or 10 of them.
"Hopefully three, maybe four of them are going to be gold, which will be a really impressive achievement. It's great to see from the sidelines."
Pressure
Pinsent also expects the crowds to play their part next summer.
All tickets for every day at Eton-Dorney have been sold, which means our rowers will have a luxury even Pinsent and Sir Steven Redgrave were not afforded in their prime.
"I never had a 'home' crowd, but certainly the heats and the semi-finals we would never have full crowds, whereas all the rowing days are sold out, so British crews will be competing in front of full houses in each of their races," Pinsent said.
"It's going to be a huge lift for them and I just hope they don't feel the pressure but come up with a positive reaction to the fact that Britain wants them to do well."