Australia's rowing crews asserted their power and grace on the river at Eton Dorney today but it was a disappointing day for many Aussies around London.

While the men's rowing four broke the Olympic record in their heat, elsewhere the Opals lost their match against France despite a three-pointer scored from halfway with just one second left on the buzzer.

Emily Seebohm couldn't quite get gold in her 100m backstroke final and Aussie riders had a disastrous day in equestrian events.

Both the men's hockey team and the women's waterpolo side managed to win their matches.