Intro:

The US women's eight successfully defended their title on the final day of racing at the World Rowing Championships in Chungju.

But Germany, the reigning world and Olympic men's champions, were beaten by the British crew in South Korea.

Script:

They had been hugely impressive in their heat, earlier in the week, and there was no change in the final for the US women's eight at the World Championships in Chungju in South Korea.

They were quick away, dragging Romania, Canada and Australia along with them for the first 500 metres.

By the final sprint though, the Americans had gained more than a boat length lead and won comfortably in a time of six minutes 2.14 seconds.

Romania secured second place with Canada third.

Like the US women's crew, Germany's men came into their final as reigning world and Olympic champions.

Unlike the Americans, they were unable to hold onto their world title.

Great Britain had been chasing Germany for the last four years and never caught them.

This year however their coach had made the eight the priority boat and put his top rowers in the boat to go for gold, and the move paid off.

They had the fastest opening pace, with Germany following closely behind.

As the final sprint approached, Great Britain were struggling to hold on, but they managed cross the line just a fraction ahead of Germany.

In the women's double sculls final a ding-dong battle between Lithuania and New Zealand looked to be going the way of the latter pair, until just two metres from the end, with the Lithuanians snatching victory on the line.

Belarus completed the podium.

In the men's event, Norway lifted their first World Championship title.

Beating Lithuania into second with Italy third.

No surprise in the climax to the women's single sculls competition.

Unbeaten all season, Australia's Kim Crow powered to victory.

2010 World Champion and 2012 Olympic silver medallist, Ondrej Synek of the Czech Republic won the men's single sculls.