by Alex Hoad at Eton Dorney

Tom Ransley will compete for an Olympic medal inthe final of the men's eight on Wednesday morning.

The Ashford-born rower, who attended King's School, Canterbury, was in the GB crew which stormed to victory in the repechage at Eton Dorney on Monday morning.

Britain made a strong start and established a half-length lead in the opening 200 metres which they never gave up.

They eventually crossed the line of the 2,000m race in a time of 5.26.85, just ahead of Olympic champions Canada (5.27.41).

The top four all qualified for Wednesday's final, so third-placed Netherlands (5.27.98) and fourth-placed Australia (5.28.67) also progressed.

Germany and the USA, who won Saturday's opening heats, lie in wait in the final, with Germany the red-hot favourites for gold, having gone unbeaten in the event since 2009, and having pushed Britain into silver medal position at two World Cup series events already this year.

Poland and Ukraine will go head-to-head in the B final to decide 7th and 8th places overall after missing out in the repechage.

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