Britain ruled the water at the Shunyi rowing lake today, raising their tally of Beijing finalists to eight - four more than in the last Olympics.

Alan Campbell led the way in the single sculls and was soon followed by the double sculls of Matt Wells and Stephen Rowbotham, who finished third in their semi-final, before the flagship men's four took centre stage.

Steve Williams, stroke Andy Triggs-Hodge, Pete Reed and Tom James produced another commanding performance to win their semi-final by half a length from Australia.

The women's eight later rounded off the afternoon by coming third in a hard-fought repechage to also qualify for the medal race.

Four British crews had already booked their final berths before this afternoon's set of races - the same total as Athens and Sydney - but Campbell improved on that record after producing a late sprint to finish second in his semi-final.

The Ulsterman edged triple world champion Mahe Drysdale into third place and Greek paddler Ioannis Christou out of the reckoning.

"My first Olympic final - I am ecstatic," said Campbell, who underwent knee surgery just two months ago. "I have been stepping it up every time and I had to do the sprint finish but it was brilliant. I would have taken any of the top-three places. I am in the final and I don't care what lane I get."

The heat was won by world silver medallist Ondrej Synek. Mahe qualified from third place and, with reigning Olympic champion Olaf Tufte also through to the final, it will be tough for Campbell to get a medal.

But he said: "I came here with the intention of producing an Olympic performance. Now I will produce a big one on finals day [Saturday]."

The men's four also hope to be in the frame for gold after producing another controlled display to ease clear in the second half of the race.

"That was a good challenge for us," said Williams.