Kieran West, former Cambridge President, stroked the GB eight to victory in the men’s eight repechage at the World Cup in Poland today. He and his crew thought they had thus booked at place in tomorrow’s final only to find themselves disqualified.

With 800m to go the crew, also featuring two other former light Blues in Josh West and Tom Stallard, suffered a rudder failure. Oxford Blue and GB cox Acer Nethercott proceeded to steer the boat using his hand in the water.

Briefly, the British crew who were leading at the time by over a length, touched their blades into the Chinese lane.

That was enough for the race technical officials to disqualify them for "interference" with the Chinese who were then promoted into the final in Britain’s place.

GB Team Manager David Tanner launched a formal protest and the verdict is yet to be given.

"The incident with the men’s eight was unfortunate as they raced extremely well to win their repechage and were looking like potential medallists tomorrow", said Tanner.

Meanwhile, the Great Britain second eight raced into third place in their repechage. This crew is formed of many U23s and emerging rowers but also features winning 2006 Oxford Blues Tom Parker and Seb Pearce along with ex-Goldie rower James Orme.

Ironically, the German eight which beat Britain to a qualifying slot included former Cambridge Blue Sebastian Schulte.