The New Zealand rowing juggernaut rolled on, with all four crews in action on Tuesday advancing impressively.
Three of the four New Zealand boats - Emma Twigg, Tom Mackintosh and Brooke Francis and Lucy Spoors - won their races at the Vaires-sur-Marne Nautical Stadium, continuing an impressive regatta for the Kiwis.
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In the women’s single sculls, defending champion Twigg moved through to the semifinals after winning her heat in 7 minutes 26.89 seconds, easily the fastest time of the day.
Mackintosh matched Twigg, winning his heat comfortably to move into the men’s single sculls semifinals.
The seasoned women’s double sculls pair of Francis and Spoors – both Olympic medallists in Tokyo – were again in sharp form and their comfortable victory over the Netherlands moved them into the final.
Rounding out a memorable morning, Robbie Manson and Jordan Parry finished third in their men’s double sculls semifinal to also book a spot in the final.
With the top-three from each semifinal going through, Ireland, the USA and New Zealand were a class ahead in their race, and New Zealand had a three-second cushion over fourth-placed Germany.
Twigg called her race “another step forward” and said she was keen to ensure she was ahead in the first 1000 metres to fend off any late challengers. She said she expects the semi-finals to be brutal.
Twigg spoke of the encouragement she received from rowing great Mahé Drysdale.
“We’re in contact after each race. It follows on from something that happened in Tokyo,” she said. “He always has a few valuable tips for me and is a calming influence. I can always trust Mahé to tell it how it is.”
Mackintosh was upbeat after his quarterfinal result.
“I was very happy with the first half of the race and will be looking to step it up a bit over the last quarter,” he said. “It was a good performance for me.”
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