Triggs-Hodge and Reed ready to go for gold after semi-final win

 ANDY Triggs-Hodge and Peter Reed insist they have turned a corner after dominating their World Rowing Championship semi-final.

READY TO ROLL: Peter Reed and Andy Triggs-Hodge are going for gold and are set for a head-to-head with New Zealand

The duo - half of Great Britain's Beijing gold medal winning four - have endured an stuttering season to date, losing three times at the hands of New Zealand pair Eric Murray and Hamish Bond.

But Triggs-Hodge and Reed turned in an impressive performance in their semi-final to set up a showdown with the New Zealanders and Reed insists they are going for gold.

"We had a good heat and a nice race in the semi-final," said Reed. "Technically we're on the same page and we're communicating well.

"The hard work on the training camps has paid off and, hand on heart, I think we'll challenge the New Zealanders."

And Triggs-Hodge revealed the best is yet to come.

"We felt in control today and have been working hard for the last few weeks," added Triggs-Hodge.

"There's more to come definitely and there are a few things we need to improve."

Meanwhile, single sculler Alan Campbell - who has grown in stature throughout the season - put in an equally impressive performance in his semi-final to qualify ahead of Beijing silver medallist Ondrej Synek and double Olympic champion Olaf Tufte.

Campbell looks set to claim his first World Championship medal at the fourth attempt - but reigning world champion Mahe Drysdale remains the man to beat.

"It was a really good race, I'm pleased," said Campbell. "I think I'm in great shape to get a medal."

Rick Egington, Alex Partridge, Matt Langridge - all silver medallists in the eight in Beijing - and newcomer Alex Gregory in the men's four and Anna Bebington and Annabel Vernon, Olympic silver medallists in the women's double, also won their semi-finals.

"We really enjoy racing together, we're good mates and it's a personal project for us," said Vernon.

And Olivia Whitlam and Louisa Reeve in the women's pair, and three-time Olympic silver medallist Katherine Grainger - in her first World Championships in the single scull - progressed by virtue of second place finishes.

"The final will be a very different ball game but I'm hoping that I can step up again," said Grainger.

They only British crew not to progress were Olympic bronze medallists Matt Wells and Steve Rowbotham in the men's double who hit a loose buoy after 750m and subsequently finished fourth to suffer a shock exit.

But performance director David Tanner insists its job done after an impressive day for Team GB.

"I'm really pleased that six from seven have gone through including four emphatic semi-final wins," said Tanner.