Rowing: Campbell bids for final glory

The sculler Alan Campbell had his toughest race of the season in the semi-finals of the World Cup, being pressed hard by the Dutchman Sjoerd Hamburger for the third qualifying place as the Olympic champion, Olaf Tufte of Norway, and the Czech Ondrej Synek led the way to the line.

But Campbell, using borrowed blades, quickened in the last 500m to overhaul Hamburger. World champion Mahe Drysdale had an easier task in the other semi-final. Lassi Karonen of Sweden and Swiss sculler Andre Vonarburg also qualified.

The men's coxless four, double scullers Matt Wells and Steve Rowbotham and the men's and women's eights all won, contributing to the 10 boats in today's final. The main casualty was the lightweight four, who missed a place in the final by half a second.

Zac Purchase ended up unbeaten at the regatta, winning the final of the lightweight single sculls in 7min 8.38sec last night after leading all the way.