Intro:

Highlights from the final day of the 2014 World Rowing Cup series in Lucerne, Switzerland on Sunday (13th July).

Script:

After regattas in Australia and France earlier in the year, the 2014 World Cup Rowing series concluded on Lake Lucerne in Switzerland on Sunday (13th July).

One of Sunday's most highly anticipated races was the men's eight final.

Olympic champions Germany - competing in their first major race of the season - just held off a strong challenge from Russia who had recorded the fastest qualifying time.

Canada had dominated the heats in the women's eights and showed their strength in the final.

It took a determined push from Canada to take the gold, with Romania stealing the silver from Great Britain on the line.

The winning streak of Olympic and world champions Eric Murray and Hamish Bond of New Zealand looked to be in jeopardy as Serbia's Veselin Savic and Dusan Bogicevic came fast out of the blocks in the final of the men's pair event.

But the New Zealand duo - now in their sixth season unbeaten - soon moved clean away from the rest of the field to win by a massive nine-second margin.

Great Britain came through the heats with the fastest time in the men's four and lined up as hot favourites in the final.

Reigning world champions the Netherlands have had a difficult season so far , and they pressed hard.

Yet Great Britain held their nerve to take gold ahead of the Dutch, with Canada winning the bronze.

Following a decisive win at the World Rowing Cup series in France, Germany maintained their winning ways in the women's quadruple sculls and led the race from start to finish.

New Zealand topped the overall medals table after a strong showing on the final day, Great Britain finished in second and Australia third.

With the World Cup series now complete, the crews will now turn their attention to the World Championships which begin in Amsterdam on 24th August.