ROWING WORLD CUP: Strong start for British crews in Belgrade

Posted: Friday 4th May 2012 | 18:38

GREAT Britain's rowers enjoyed a solid start to their campaign at the rowing World Cup in Belgrade.

Seven British crews qualified for Sunday finals - the men's eight, women's double and quad and the lightweight men's double scull pair and four, women's single and double.

Eight British crews also advanced to semi-finals and three face repecharge races as they continue their bids to qualify.

World champions Anna Watkins and Katherine Grainger won their double scull heat as did reigning Olympic lightweight men's double scull champions Mark Hunter and Zac Purchase.

"It was a good day with more crews needing to work hard to progress tomorrow," said GB Rowing's team performance director David Tanner.

But the new look men's four and eight needed to dig deep to win, the former making a slow start and the latter needing to hold off a late Polish surge to win.

"It was good to start with a win in the heat after our first run-out as a crew", said 2011 world four champion Alex Gregory.