In flat, calm conditions the New Zealand men's and women's quads both won their heats and qualified for finals. Emma Twigg won her heat comfortably to progress to the semifinals while the men's lightweight double placed third and will also progress to the semifinals.
The New Zealand women's quad rowed a beautifully timed race, being third at the first 500m mark, working its way into second by the halfway mark and going on to win comfortably ahead of Great Britain and Romania. Brooke Donoghue, Lucy Spoors, Georgia Perry and Sarah Gray booked their spot in tomorrow's final and will need a top-two finish to qualify for the Rio Olympics.
The men's quad gradually worked itself into contention, driving hard to the finish line where it finished 0.14sec ahead of the United States crew in first place. The New Zealand men's quad has also booked its place in the final and will look for a top-two finish in the final to ensure it qualifies for Rio de Janeiro.
On her first international outing since claiming her world championship title in 2014, Twigg found a handy lead early on in the third heat and simply extended it to win in a time of 7min 31.10sec, nearly 9sec ahead of second.
Twigg will feel confident after finishing with the fastest time of the three heats as she progressed to the semifinals and was happy to get her first race out of the way
"The first race is always a challenge at any regatta. I am looking forward to making some improvement over the next couple of days. You are always learning when racing at this level,'' she said.
Twigg received the welcome news just hours before the regatta commenced that there will be four qualifying places available in the women's single scull.
The lightweight men's double of Adam Ling and Toby Cunliffe-Steele was holding second for most of the heat but was passed by Portugal in the dying stages. Ling and Cunliffe-Steele will need to gain a top-three finish in their semifinal to qualify for the final to keep their Olympic dream alive.
The New Zealand four finished third in its heat and will contest the repechage, needing a top-four finish to make the final.
