Rotorua Rowing Club’s Jeff Francis is into the A Final tomorrow at 2.30am  (NZ TIME) for the Under 23 World Rowing Champs in Trakai, Lithuania.

 From 19 Men’s Quad crews, Jeff’s is in the top 6 in the world, which will include ….

France, Italy, Australia, Czech Rep and Ukraine.

 Looking at the times I think there might be a good race for medals between France,Italy, Australia and New Zealand, with a show by Ukraine in the first quarter.It will be tough for Bronze. Let’s hope that fight will be between France and Australia,leaving our boat to battle the Italians for Gold.

 New Zealand came 1^st in their heat and third in their semi. France started badly in their heat but made it up to finish first and they took their semi final from start to finish, leaving NZ in third, Australia in second.

 Italy seems to be fast in starts and endurance; winning both their heat and semi.Australia took the lead in their heat as did the Czech Rep, but Ukraine beat the Czech Rep boat in their semi,and New Zealand beat the Ukraine boat in their heat.