2 Nov 2010

New Zealand crews prove they can row with the best

6:03 pm on 2 November 2010

The largely inexperienced New Zealand men's and women's eights proved their doubters wrong with impressive performances on Lake Karapiro but still have to go to repechages to make their respective finals at the World Rowing Championships.

The men finished just behind Germany in their heat, just failing to grab the automatic finals spot while the women were third in their heat.

The unfancied men's crew came out of the blocks firing and almost pipped the German's for a place in the final and Ian Seymour says despite not finishing first they were more than happy to silence their critics.

The men's and women's eight repechages take place on Thursday.