The final World Cup regatta in Poland was the last opportunity for us to compare ourselves to the majority of the qualified Olympic opposition. After getting Andy and Tom back into the boat (with their injuries behind them) we knew that we had a lot to do in a short space of time.

Silver in Poznan, but no smiles.

We finished 2^nd to the Dutch crew who we have raced at nearly every international regatta for the last 4 years – it is a big step up from the 8^th place of Lucerne, but still not where I want to be and it is hard to hide the signs of disappointment after defeat.

What’s done is done. I’m just pleased to be back in the full line up again and with a monumental training load on its way in the form of an Austrian Alps altitude camp I’m sure I will have all the fire and drive I need to dig deep through session after session.

One thing is for sure, we are not at all complacent. I’m hoping this year, on the Austrian work camp, to find out new things about what I am capable of because I know this is what I have to do to win gold.

We leave the comfort of our own homes for the last time before the Olympics in just a few days and the next time we’re back will be after Beijing 2008 is all over. It is going to be an intense experience that I know I’ll never forget.