Rowers underway at World Champs | NZ FIJI TIMES

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Updated: 6:35am – New Zealand rowing crews have had a good start to the World Rowing Championships in Sarasota, USA, with all competing crews progressing to quarter or semi finals.

Robbie Manson duelled with Great Britain’s Thomas Barras in his men’s single sculls heat, playing a cat and mouse race down to a final sprint.

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Manson was a clear favourite for the win, starting as the world best time holder. Barras however came home with the win although Manson will go through to the quarterfinals.

Lightweight single sculler Matt Dunham out rowed Rio medallist Kristoffer Brun of Norway to secure a win in his heat and a place in the quarterfinals.

Tom Murray and Jamie Hunter training Photo: Rowing New Zealand

The men’s pair of Tom Murray and Jamie Hunter snatched back an early lead in their heat before powering away to finish with clear water ahead of nearest rivals Tom Jeffery and Thomas George of Great Britain.

Hunter and Murray will now face a semi final along with Croatia’s Olympic double sculls gold medallists Martin and Valent Sinkovic who took the fastest qualifying time with a win in their heat.

An exciting lightweight women’s double sculls race saw world cup gold medallists Zoe McBride and Jackie Kiddle in a close tussle with Romania and Italy.

NZ rower Robbie Manson Photo: PHOTOSPORT

With the three boats all within three seconds of each other it was a race to the line, with McBride and Kiddle unleashing a powerful sprint finish to take the win.

Alex Kennedy, Cameron Webster, Charlie Rogerson and Anthony Allen will contest the men’s four semi final after claiming third place in their heat.

Giacomo Thomas, Nathan Flannery, Cameron Crampton and Lewis Hollows secured a berth in the men’s quad semi final with a hard earned second place finish.

-RNZ

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