World record-holder Mahe Drysdale of New Zealand barely qualified for the final in men’s single sculls, claiming the third and last slot in his heat with less than a half-second to spare.
Ondrej Synek of the Czech Republic and Alan Campbell of Britain posted the two best times in Drysdale’s heat in yesterday’s semi-final round. Greece’s Ioannis Christou finished fourth, just 0.45 seconds behind Drysdale. Had he beaten Drysdale, the three-time world champion would have been shut out of the final.
Lassi Karonen of Sweden put up the best time in the semi-finals with a time of 6:57.28 in the other heat.
Taiwan’s Wang Ming-hui (汪明輝) placed fifth in the men’s single sculls semi-final C/D with a time of 7:23.75 to qualify for today’s Final D.
Rowing finalists were decided in five categories yesterday.
In women’s single sculls, China’s Zhang Xiuyun put up the best time in her heat. The US’ Michelle Guerette also made the final, which will be held Saturday, with a second-place finish behind Zhang.
In men’s pairs, Canada’s David Calder and Scott Frandsen turned in the best semi-final time of 6:34.02, just ahead of the 6:34.29 put up by Australia’s Drew Ginn and Duncan Free in the other heat.
American twins Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss placed second in their semi-final to advance.
They covered the final 500m of the course in 1:34.34, the fastest of the field, to surge from fifth place to second. They finished in 6:36.65, 2.36 seconds behind the Australian team.
In men’s double scull, world record-holders Jean-Baptiste Macquet and Adrien Hardy of France produced the best time of 6:18.86.
In men’s four, Slovenia’s team of Tomaz Pirih, Rok Rozman, Rok Rolander and Miha Pirih produced the best semi-final time of 5:56.08.
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