Lightweights must race again after Chinese defeat

THE Irish men’s lightweight four of Gearoid Towey, Eugene Coakley, Richard Archibald and Paul Griffin will have to take the repechage route in order to qualify for the semi-finals at the Rowing World Championships after they were unexpectedly defeated by the Chinese four in yesterday’s heat.

Both lightweight doubles will also contest tomorrow’s repechages to try and advance to the semi-finals.

Despite a strong challenge the Irish crew never drew level with the American duo who led from start to finish and held on by half-a-length at the finish.