SIR Steve Redgrave stepped onto a competitive boat last week for the first time since he won his record-breaking fifth Olympic gold medal.

The Marlow Bottom hero joined his Sydney Olympic teammates Matthew Pinsent, James Cracknell and Tim Foster on the Thames at Henley in preparation for a charity race that will reunite the nations who competed in that thrilling Olympic final in 2000.

The National Lottery Legends Sprint will bring together the crews who fought for Olympic glory in Sydney where Great Britain pipped the Italians by 0.38 seconds to take the gold.

It will take place on Saturday, May 28 during the Rowing World Cup at Dorney Lake, Eton, and gives the runners-up a rare opportunity to revenge their loss.

Sir Steve, who helped carry the original winning boat now owned by the River and Rowing Museum onto the Thames, said he still believes Great Britain can reign victorious.

He said: "The Australians are coming in a week before the Sprint. The New Zealanders are going to struggle to do too much, and the Italians have one guy who is in the World Cup team on the same day, so we should have an advantage.

"We have got a little bit more weight but that should give us more power."

Money raised from the Sprint will go towards the World Food Programme's tsunami appeal.

If you wish to donate call 0870 756 7979.