WINDSOR, England -- Kat Copeland and Sophie Hosking became the third female British crew to capture gold in the Olympic rowing regatta, winning the lightweight women's double sculls at Dorney Lake on Saturday.

The British boat pulled clear in the last 750 meters to win in a time of 7 minutes, 9.30 seconds, a length and a half ahead of China. Greece took bronze.

No British woman had ever won rowing gold at an Olympics before this regatta, but Katherine Grainger and Anna Watkins eased to victory in the double sculls Friday, and Helen Glover and Heather Stanning won the pair on Wednesday.

With the men's four winning their final earlier Saturday, the host nation has four golds and is set to top the rowing medals table. It also extended Britain's record medal haul at the regatta to eight.

Hosking buried her head in her hands after crossing the line and Copeland sat open-mouthed, not quite believing the result. They then faced each other and shared a hug.

Hosking and Copeland is a new lineup for Britain in 2012 and they failed to register a victory in the three World Cup regattas this year.

But they have been the leading lightweight women's double at the Olympic Games, posting the quickest times in the heats and the semifinals.

They weren't flustered by Greece's quick start and edged substantially ahead for the first time after 1,250 meters. They then eased away to claim an easy victory.

The bronze of Christina Giazitzidou and Alexandra Tsiavou was Greece's second medal of the Games. It was also the country's second-ever rowing medal.