Two Golds and a Silver as Britain's rowers clean up

Sophie Hosking (left) and Katherine Copeland can't quite believe they've won gold. Credit: Reuters

Super Saturday got off to a sensational start as Britain's rowers claimed two golds and a silver.

Cheered by an ecstatic crowd, including silver medallist Zara Phillips and the Princess Royal, the men's coxless four of Andrew Triggs Hodge, Pete Reed, Tom James and Alex Gregory led from the front extending Britain's dominance in the Olympic event to 16 years.

And just minutes later Kat Copeland and Sophie Hosking hugged each other, almost in disbelief, as they claimed gold in the lightweight event.

The wins propelled the British team into third position in the medal table with 24 - ten gold, six silver and eight bronze.

The coxless four crew was also cheered on by Lieutenant Reed's fellow sailors and Royal Marines who are embarked on HMS Bulwark providing Games security in Weymouth.

Reed said: "The hours we do, the pain - it was all worth it in the end."A bewildered Copeland said: "I can't believe this is real - that we just won the Olympics."

Sophie Hosking (left) and Katherine Copeland realise they've won gold. Credit: PA

The coxless four crew was also cheered on by Lieutenant Reed's fellow sailors and Royal Marines who are embarked on HMS Bulwark providing Games security in Weymouth.

Reed said: "The hours we do, the pain - it was all worth it in the end."

A bewildered Copeland said: "I can't believe this is real - that we just won the Olympics."

Tom James praised the support at Eton Dorney, adding: "I can't describe what this atmosphere is like. It's beyond words, it's epic, it's magic, it's emotional. The crowd is phenomenal. I'm so excited to be here and so proud."

Britain then missed out on gold by inches in a dramatic lightweight double sculls race which had to be restarted when Zac Purchase and Mark Hunter suffered a problem with a seat in their boat.

A distraught Purchase, who had to be held up by Sir Steve Redgrave, said: "The crowd here has been absolutely amazing."

Hunter said: "We gave everything. We tried everything. We wanted to win so badly. Sorry to everybody we've let down."

The rowing haul of four gold medals, two silvers and three bronze confirms London 2012 as Britain's most successful Olympic regatta ever, surpassing the eight medals, including four golds, won at London 1908.