A leading medal contender in the lightweight double scull, Zac Purchase and his rowing partner Mark Hunter are defending Olympic champions in the event. Purchase won his first major championship medal in 2006 when he set a new world record in the lightweight single scull to win World Championship gold at the Dorney venue that hosts London’s rowing schedule. Partnering Mark Hunter in the doubles in 2007, the pair picked up medals at each World Cup Regatta throughout the season but managed only bronze at the World Championships of that year. 2008 proved to be a record-breaking year, with Purchase and Hunter winning every double scull race of the season and setting a new Olympic Record as they won gold at the Beijing Olympics. Awarded an MBE in the New Year Honours list for services to sport, Purchase took a season off from the sport before returning with a World Championship gold in 2010. Defending their gold in Bled in 2011 ensured that Purchase will be amongst the favourites to medal in the GB team at Dorney. However, Denmark and Greece also look set to be strong in this category.
