Promising start for Kiwis in Bulgaria
All heats have been completed at the Under 23 World Rowing Championships, and kiwi crews have shown a lot of promise over the last two days.
Women's sculling had a tough day at the office, with most crews narrowly missing qualifying straight through to the next round, and will now contest the repechages in order to progress.
Courtney Rennie (Women's LW 1x) was up against Nicole van Wyk - silver medalist in this event last year. Courtney just missed out on progressing through to the Semi Final as she came 3rd but needed a top 2 placing. The same goes for Jemma James in the heavyweight Women's 1x who needed top 2 but placed 3rd. Both girls will contest the repechage tonight.
The women's double of Nicola Baker and Ella Toa came up against some flying competition in their heat, and will race the repechage tonight in order to gain a place in their semi final.
The women's four of Charlotte Spence, Beth Ross, Ellie Jeurissen, and Ella Greenslade laid down an impressive performance to progress straight through to their semi final. The girls will face Belarus, Italy, Germany, Denmark, and Australia for a place in the A final.
The men saw similar results as the women, with two crews heading to the repechages in order to make it through to their semi finals. The men's double of Matthew Mesman and Ben Kirsop faced a tough progression of first only through to the semi final. The boys fought hard but had to settle for 2nd place behind a quick GB crew. This puts them in a good place for their repechage tonight with the top two crews progressing through to the semi finals.
The men's eight came up against the same tough progression of first only through to the semi finals. The boys drew some fast crews in their heat, missing out on top spot to the Ukraine and Germany. The boys will have to hold off the USA, Russia, Romania, and Italy in their repechage tonight in order to progress through to the semi final.
The men's quad of Jack O'Leary, Jack Lopaz, Olly Maclean, and Jordan Parry, were dominant from start to finish in their heat crossing the line over five seconds in front of Great Britain who took 2nd place. The boys now get a day off to prepare for their semi final which is being raced on Saturday night.
Ben van Dalen was also impressive in the Men's lightweight single. Ben came third behind Solvakia and Belgium, but held off Japan and Bulgaria in order to book himself a spot in the quarter final in the biggest event of the regatta.
Crews racing tonight - Friday 21st July:
6.05pm - Women's double (rep)
6.10pm - Men's double (rep)
6.30pm - Women's lightweight single (rep)
6.50pm - Men's lightweight single (QF)
8.00pm - Women's single (rep)
8.10pm - Men's eight (rep)
2.39am - Women's four (SF)