South Africa/ hpc’s rowers certainly made their presence felt at the World Rowing Championships in Auguebelette, France by qualifying four boats for today's (3/09) semi-finals.

These results means that the South African might just be able to qualify four crews for next year’s Olympic Games in Rio.

South Africa’s defending world champions, James Thompson and John Smith, were in awesome form. Not only did they win their quarterfinal-heat in the lightweight double sculls. They also set the fastest time. Their winning time was 6 minutes 22.97s.

South Africa’s Shaun Keeling and David Hunt were involved in titanic battle against France’s Germain Chardin and Dorian Mortelette in their men’s pair quarterfinal-heat.

They were in the lead after 500 metres then got passed, regained the lead after 1500 metres. When the Tuks/HPC-crew realized that they were going to qualify for the semi-final they chose not to over exert themselves over the last 100 or so metres.

The French won in 6:30.94 with the South Africans finishing second in 6:33.20.
Kirsten McCann and Ursula Grobler won their quarterfinal-heat in the lightweight women’s double sculls in 7:14.22 to book their place in the semi-finals.

Naydene Smith and Lee-Ann Persse qualified for the women’s pair semi-finals.

South Africa’s Willie Morgan, Jake Green and Leo Davis are through to the final of the men’s coxed pair. This is not an Olympic event.