London's Sophie Hosking is in the Team GB rowing squad

Olympic rowing: 1. Great Britain 2. Denmark 3. New Zealand 4. Cuba 5. Argentina 6. Egypt

London Rowing Club’s Sophie Hosking and her teammate Kat Copeland won their heat in superb style in the lightweight double sculls at Eton Dorney.

The British double, silver medallists at the 2012 World Rowing Cup in Belgrade, secured automatic qualification to the semi-final with this exhibition of lightweight rowing at its very finest.

Kingston Grammar School alumni Hosking, who hails from Wimbledon, was in the stroke seat, having recently swapped positions with Copeland.

It was a decision that paid off emphatically.

The Brits passed the 500meter mark in second place behind the New Zealand double, who hold the record for the world’s best time.

But Hosking and Copeland found their rhythm thereafter, sculling confidently and moving into first place before the 1,000m halfway point.

A light shower of rain broke out as Hosking and Copeland approached 1,500m, but it couldn’t dampen the crowd’s spirits as the British duo opened up a huge gap on Denmark and the flagging New Zealand double.

This immense performance leaves Team GB with a real medal hope on their hands.