Rowing: Britain four-strong in finals

PHYSICAL power, always a key to rowing, became even more important in the Junior World Championships here yesterday, when the benign conditions of the first two days were replaced by a stiff head breeze for the semi-finals, writes Hugh Matheson from Arungen, Norway.

Four British crews reached the grand finals today and each have a chance of a medal. The men's coxless four were fourth fastest in the semi-finals, but this was deceptive as they dropped to a cruise at 34 strokes to the minute after 300 metres.

The men's coxed four won their repechage on Thursday to go straight into the final. They are unlikely to beat a strong German four and Italy will be close behind. Britain will probably be competing against Romania for the bronze medal.

The Germans are likely to form the strongest opposition for the eight, which is of comparable speed to the medal-winning crews of 1989 and 1990.

The women's pair, Elizabeth Henshilwood and Tessa Morris, qualified for the final by winning their heat in the fastest time recorded at this level, beating both Australia and Germany. But the coach, Mark Banks, suspects the Germans are capable of improvement.