N.Z. Rowers In Finals Of Championships

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31162, 12 September 1966, Page 15

N.Z. Rowers In Finals Of Championships

(N.Z.P.A. -Reuter—Copyright) BLED (Jugoslavia). The New Zealand rowing eight qualified for the finals at the world rowing championships at Bled on Satur. day. Australia failed to qualify for either the finals of the fours or eights, finishing fourth in the coxed fours semi-final, just behind Czechoslovakia, and fading to fifth in the eights semifinal. New Zealand took the lead in the eights semi-final holding it untU the 1000 metre mark, then losing it to East Germany and the Soviet Union, to finish third and qualify. German oarsmen confirmed their good form in the championships. As a result of the semi-finals, East Germany will be represented in all seven of the finals. West Germany wHI compete in six. The Soviet Union will compete in five finals, and France and the United States in four. Of the Commonwealth nations, only Britain and New Zealand will be represented in the finals. In the semi-finals, New Zealand won the eights repechage heat from Australia in a race in which the lead changed continually. New Zealand, with six members of the Auckland club in

the crew, was first to show and reach the 500-metre mark. Australia edged in front at the half-way mark. But the Kiwis hit back and drew slightly ahead at the 1500 metre post. The order was unchanged at the finish, where a photograph decided the result. New Zealand clocked 6min o.B6sec and Australia 6min Msec. V. Ivanov, of the Soviet Union, holder of the single sculls world and Olympic titles, made amends for his earlier shock defeat by winning his repechage and qualifying for tbe final.