SA make solid start at World Champs

The women’s pair crew of Naydene Smith and Lee-Ann Persse lay down the marker as they qualified for Thursday’s semi-final as the fastest boat of the three heats.

The top three boats in each heat advanced to the next round with South Africa beating New Zealand, who pipped them to the podium at the World Rowing Cup in Lucerne in July.

The men’s pair of Vincent Breet and Shaun Keeling also made the cut after needing to finish in the top-two of their heat for a semi-final berth.

The duo did so in style as they held on for first place after dropping down to second place behind Italy over the middle 1000 metres.

However, a surge over the final 500m saw them finish in first place.

Olympic gold medallists James Thompson and John Smith advanced to the quarter-finals of the lightweight men’s double sculls set for Wednesday.

The two South Africans got stuck into an initial arm wrestle with Switzerland but a second-half assault ensured the win in their heat.

Only the top four boats from the five heats would advance to the quarterfinals.

South Africa’s lightweight women’s double sculls crew of Kirsten McCann and Ursula Grobler completed a good day of paddling, winning their heat to claim a semi-final spot.

The duo were made to work hard as only the top boat in the four heats could qualify for Thursday’s semi-final.

The United States’ crew of Devery Karz and Michelle Sechser initially breathed down their necks before the South Africans pulled away over the final 500m for a comfortable victory.

– Sapa