Sanita Puspure advances to semi-finals

Rowing Olympian Sanita Puspure advanced to the semi-finals of the single sculls on a remarkable day for the Irish at the World Rowing Championships in Aiguebelette, France yesterday.

Puspure, who has battled injury since competing in London three years ago, led at the halfway line but was pipped in a sprint finish by Denmark’s Olympic medallist, Fie Udby Erichsen, and Micheen Thornycroft of Zimbabwe. But third place was enough to qualify for the A/B semi-finals, from which nine out of 12 boats will qualify for Rio in 2016.

Earlier in the day, both Ireland lightweight double sculls also qualified for the semis and moved a step closer to Olympic qualification. Sinead Jennings and Claire Lambe, who had won their opening day heat, produced a storming finish to come home behind Germany (7:13.95 to 7:15.49) with Poland in third.