It was another exciting morning on the Seine for Northern Irish rowers, with Rebecca Shorten just one win away from an Olympic gold medal.
Belfast’s Shorten helped the British boat qualify for the final of the Women’s Four, while the Fermanagh pair of Ross Corrigan and Nathan Timoney secured a spot in the semi-final of the Men’s Coxless Pair for Ireland.
However, there was disappointment for Aughnacloy’s Rebecca Edwards. The Team GB athlete failed to qualify in the Women’s Pair, which means she must compete in Monday’s morning’s repechage.
In the Women’s Four Heat, Shorten – supported by Olympic legend and British flag bearer Helen Glover, Esme Booth and Sam Redgrave – cruised to victory in their heat with a stunning time of 6.42.57, ahead of fellow qualifiers New Zealand and China.
The British quartet are now favourites for gold after recording the fastest time across the heats. The final will be staged at 9.54am on Thursday morning. With Coleraine’s Hannah Scott already in Wednesday’s Quadruple Sculls final, there is a possibility of two golds on the Seine for Northern Irish rowers.
However, it was a more difficult day for the third Northern Irish member of the British rowing squad. Edwards and teammate Chloe Brew finished last in their Women’s Pair heat with a time of 7.29.70. They will have a second chance to qualify for the semi-finals in Monday’s Repechage which starts at 9.30am.
Corrigan and Timoney third took third in their Pairs heat despite a slow start, thanks to an incredible dash towards the line. Spain and New Zealand took the top two slots with the Irish boat claiming third in a photo finish with a time of 6:32.69.
The Fermanagh duo’s semi-final is at 9.34am on Tuesday morning.