NORTHWICH rower Matthew Langridge will have another chance to reach the Olympics final after his boat finished second in Saturday’s heats on Dorney Lake.

Great Britain’s men’s eight lost out to world champions Germany – a crew unbeaten in the past three years – in the second qualifying race at Eton.

However Langridge – who learned to row at Northwich Rowing Club – and company, competing with a full strength line-up for the first time this season following the return of stroke man

Constantine Louloudis from injury, were second fastest overall in the eight-strong field.

They will now need to negotiate Monday’s repechage before trying again to beat the Germans, conquerors of the British crew in two of the three World Cup races earlier this year, in the final.

Germany were swift from the start on Saturday, leaving Langridge’s crew trailing in third place behind Olympic champions Canada after the first 500m.

They recovered over the race’s middle section to close to within less than a boat length with 500m to go, during which they were roared on by a huge crowd lakeside.

Britain reached the line in 5:27.61, more than three seconds quicker than the heat one winners.
Canada, best in class in Beijing four years ago, were well down in fourth.

Meanwhile USA, who did not take part in the World Cup series in the run-up to the London games, were comfortable victors ahead of Australia earlier this morning.

They, along with Germany, are now guaranteed a place in Wednesday’s final.

The remaining boats race again on Monday at 0950.


Results

Olympics 2012
Men’s eight
Heat One

1. USA 5:30.72; 2. Australia 5:32.43; 3. Poland 5:35.64; 4. Ukraine 5:38.02.

NB. USA qualify for A final on Wednesday, while Australia, Poland and Ukraine enter Monday’s repechage.

Heat Two
1. Germany 5:25.52; 2. Great Britain 5:27.61; 3. Netherlands 5:28.99; 4. Canada 5:37.91.

NB. World champions Germany qualify for A final on Wednesday, while Great Britain, Netherlands and Canada enter Monday’s repechage.