Rowing World Championships: Samuel off to strong start

The first heats for the para-rowing events at the 2015 Rowing World Championships took off on Monday (31 August) in Aiguebelette, France, with opportunities to advance to the semi-finals.

AS Women's Single Sculls (ASW1x)

A packed field of 15 nations had entered in this category and were divided into three heats, with the top three boats in each heat advancing to the semi-finals. Israel’s Moran Samuel, the 2014 World silver medallist, recorded the fastest qualifying time at 5:23.65 to win her heat.

Heat one feature a tight race, with Great Britain’s Rachel Morris edging Brazil’s Claudia Santos by a second, clocking 5:25.43. Reigning World Champion Birgit Skarstein of Norway flew in her heat by more than 15 seconds.

Qualifiers: GBR, BRA, BLR, NOR, USA, RSA, ISR, ITA, GER

AS Men's Single Sculls (ASM1x)

Great Britain’s 2008 Paralympic Champion Tom Aggar had built enough of a lead that he was able to drop his stroke rate and win his heat. It was one of the four heats that took place, with the top boat only from each heat getting to go directly to the semi-finals.

Russia’s Alexey Chuvashev, who has been medalling at the World Rowing Championships regularly the last four years, held on and crossed the line just a fraction ahead of Ukraine’s 2013 World Champion Igor Bondar.

Australia’s reigning World Champion Erik Horrie recorded a time of 4:42 - just seven seconds outside of the world best time - to win his heat.

Heat four featured the USA’s Steven Haxton, who was able to push through and advance.

Only the winners from each heat advanced to the semi-finals.

Qualifiers: GBR, RUS, AUS, USA

Mixed Double Sculls (TAMix2x)

The rule here was to be first for a direct path to the final.

Brazilians Josiane Lima and Michel Gomes Pessanha took their heat to advance, while the Australian duo of Gavin Bellis and Kathryn Ross finished in 3:59, the fastest qualifying time and just five seconds outside of the world best time.

Qualifiers: BRA, AUS

Mixed Coxed Four (LTAMix4+)

The top two from the three heats would head to the semi-finals. Italy and South Africa qualified from their heats. Joining them are Great Britain, Canada, the USA and Canada.

Qualifiers: ITA, RSA, GBR, CAN, USA, FRA

Complete results can be found on World Rowing’s website.

The 2015 World Rowing Championships continue until Sunday (6 September).