GREAT Britain’s men’s four, including Northwich rower Matthew Langridge, have made it safely through to the World Championship semi finals in Slovenia, writes Andrew Simpson.

They sent out a signal of intent too, relegating defending champions France to second spot on Slovenia’s picturesque Lake Bled.

The British quartet, completed by Knutsford’s Richard Egington, Alex Gregory and Tom James, assumed control of the fourth heat at the race’s halfway point after initially trailing the French boat.

Once ahead at the 1,000m mark, they ran out comfortable victors to force the French to race again in Wednesday’s repechage.

Czech Republic finished in third position with Spain and Poland completing the field.

It means Langridge’s new-look crew remain unbeaten this season with victories at the World Cup – in Munich and Lausanne – and Henley’s Royal Regatta to their name to date.

Earlier Germany rowed to a comfortable victory ahead of Canada in the day’s first heat, while last year’s silver medallists Greece proved too quick for Australia in their head-to-head.

There was a surprise though in a thrilling third heat, where unfancied Belarus edged out the USA in a photo finish with expected victors New Zealand pushed into third place.

The British crew must wait now for the results of the repechage before finding out who they race next.

Meanwhile there were eight GB Rowing squad heat winners in the morning session in Slovenia. WC: 230.

World Rowing Championships
Lake Bled, Slovenia
Sunday, August 28
Men’s four heat four
1. Great Britain (Matthew Langridge, Richard Egington, Tom James, Alex Gregory) 5:49.20
2. France 5:53.80
3. Czech Republic 5:57.63
4. Spain 6:02.35
5. Poland 6:07.47