Reigning champion McCrohan through to world rowing semi-final

DEFENDING CHAMPION: Siobhan McCrohan of Ireland. Photo by Vid Ponikvar/Sportsfile

Siobhán McCrohan easily won her heat in the lightweight single sculls at the World Rowing Championships in St. Catharine's, Canada on Tuesday.

The race was initially scheduled for Monday but due to adverse weather conditions, racing was postponed a day. McCrohan finished with the fastest time of the four heats, clocking 8:23.03 as she crossed the line nearly 30m ahead of the Mexican, Kenia Lechuga. 

Greece's Zoi Fitsiou, who claimed bronze in the lightweight double at the Olympics, won the second heat in a time 3.30 seconds slower than the Irish rower while Romania's Ionela Livia Cozmiuc, a silver medal winner in the lightweight double in Paris, clocked the third fastest time.

37-year-old McCrohan is the reigning world champion, and one of only two Irish seniors competing at the championships along with Paris gold medallist Paul O'Donovan who won his singles heat on Sunday. The senior championships feature non-Olympic and non-Paralympic events, while the World U19 and U23 championships are being held at the same venue. 

Galway native McCrohan only returned to rowing last year following a seven-year hiatus. Retaining her world title would be another step in a remarkable comeback.

Winning her heat means that McCrohan qualified directly for Friday's semi-final. All other rowers will have to take the repechage route.