10th July 1999

Seven British chances in World Cup finals

Seven British crews contest A finals in the final round of the World Cup, and there are four finalists in non-World Cup events.

Britain's first four (Cracknell, Redgrave, Coode, Pinsent) commanded their semifinal and crossed the line three quarters of a length in front of the Norwegians who set a world's best time of 5:46.12 on Friday. Britain's second four finished fifth in the same semifinal, with Greg Searle substituting for Richard Dunn in the two seat. Dunn suffered a back injury and Searle was eliminated from the single sculls on Friday. Italy, Australia and Netherlands qualified from the other semi.

Williams and Dennis finished third in their pairs semi to qualify for the final.

Male and Kay raced well and finished second in their semifinal of the lightweight double sculls to qualify for the final. But the other semi was much faster.

The men's lightweight coxless four were fifth and go to the B final. The first three were France, Italy and Netherlands. The unbeaten Danes won the other semifinal ahead of Germany and Canada. The last two crews were involved in a photo finish with Spain and Australia.

Alison Mowbray goes to Sunday's B final of women's single sculls after finishing fourth in her semifinal.

Tracy Langlands and Jane Hall were sixth in a semifinal of the lightweight doubles. The Olympic champions Burcica and Macoviciuc of Romania won it.

The men's quadruple scullers were fifth in their semi, going to the B final.

Repechages

The men's eight won their repechage. Canada, Romania and Russia were the other qualifiers from the reps.

In the non-World Cup events Kirsty McClelland Brooks was third to qualify in the lightweight singles, with Sarah Birch fifth in the same rep. Peter Haining finished fourth to qualify for the B final of the men's lightweight singles.

© Copyright Chris Dodd, 1999.