TOM FORD was part of a British men’s four tested by a different format for qualifying on the first day of a World Cup regatta.

The former Grange School student, along with crewmates Jacob Dawson, Adam Neill and James Johnston, took part in a time-trial – rather than side-by-side racing – in the first round.

They stopped the clock in 5:59.530 to qualify third in their heat and progress to the semi-finals.

Australia, the world champions, were fastest in the same section – and also overall – on their first international outing of a new season.

The British quartet, made up of members at Leander Club, return to the water in Austria at midday on Saturday.

Emily Ford, Tom’s younger sister, was in action too as part of Great Britain’s women’s eight.

They were disrupted by an injury to Emily Ashford, who together with Ford had made a senior international debut in a women’s pair that classified sixth in Belgrade earlier this month.

Sam Courty took her place, and they were fifth-fastest in an exhibition time-trial.

The field returns on Sunday to battle for a medal.

“It was a good experience for our crews to race under time-trial conditions, and it was fantastic to see so many of them progress to the next round,” said Brendan Purcell, British Rowing’s director of performance.

“We enjoyed a solid first day, with some stand-out performances from a number of GB boats.”

The regatta is a test event for the 2019 World Rowing Championships at the same venue.

Results

World Rowing Cup II

Linz, Austria

Friday, June 22

Men’s four

Heat Three: 1, Australia 5:54.81; 2, Poland 5:58.53; 3, Great Britain II (James Johnston, Adam Neill, Jacob Dawson, Tom Ford) 5:59.53; 4, China II 6:14.320

Women’s eight

Exhibition race: 1, New Zealand 6:08.98; 2, Romania 6:15.39; 3. Australia 6:16.03; 4, Netherlands 6:18.280; 5, Great Britain (Sara Parfett, Emily Ford, Rebecca Chin, Jo Wratten, Katherine Douglas, Caragh McMurtry, Holly Hill, Sam Courty and cox Matilda Horn) 6:21.20

Schedule (provisional, and subject to change)

Saturday, June 23

1200 Men’s four (semi-final two)

Sunday, June 24

0745 Men’s four (B final)

0948 Men’s four (A final)

1148 Women’s eight (A final)