CAMPBELL NOT HAPPY TO MISS OUT ON WIN

ALAN Campbell’s hopes of adding a fourth Diamond Challenge Cup single sculls title to his collection at this year’s Henley Royal Regatta came to a close on Sunday.

However the Olympic bronze medalist was beaten by his good friend and international rival Aleksandr Aleksandrov of Azerbaijan who was fifth in last summer’s London 2012 final. Three-quarters of a mile into the race Campbell looked to be moving into the lead but Aleksandrov responded and went on to win by one and a quarter lengths.

“There’s a bit of dented pride, no doubt about it,” said Campbell afterwards. “I’m disappointed not to win, I thought I was in good shape to win it but the young whipper snapper came up and handed me a two length defeat.”

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Campbell will head to Lucerne this week for the third world cup regatta of the season.

“The good news is that I don’t have time to dwell on this result because I’m right back into action next weekend in Lucerne which will be another important step on the road to the world championships in Korea.”

Meanwhile brothers Richard and Peter Chambers bowed out at the semi-final stage of the Double Sculls Challenge on Saturday when they were beaten by their Great Britain team mates Bill Lucas and Matt Langridge. “The objective of racing at Henley was to work on our speed and technique ahead of Lucerne and from that point of view it was a valuable experience,” said Richard. “When we won silver at Eton a few weeks ago we struggled to hold our speed to the line but we didn’t at Henley and that gives us confidence.”

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