OLYMPICS: Langridge reaches rowing final (From Northwich Guardian)

Northwich rower Matthew Langridge is part of Great Britain's men's eight that reaches Olympics final

10:14am Monday 30th July 2012 in Sport By Andrew Simpson, Senior Sports Writer

NORTHWICH rower Matthew Langridge will race again in an Olympics final after his crew were victors in this morning’s repechage.

Great Britain’s men’s eight, second fastest in the eight-strong field during Saturday’s heat, held off the challenge of defending champions Canada to win on Dorney Lake.

It means they will line up alongside gold medal favourites – and reigning world champions – Germany in Wednesday morning’s final.

Langridge and company were fastest from the start, leading by more than a boat length at the race’s halfway point.

Canada closed the gap in the final 500m but the British crew, racing for only the second time with a full strength line-up, held on to finish first in front of a noisy home crowd.

Netherlands and Australia were third and fourth respectively to reserve a place in Wednesday’s final along with Germany and USA, who won Saturday’s opening heat.

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Result

Olypmics 2012
Men’s eight
Repechage
1 Great Britain 5:26.85; 2. Canada 5:27.41; 3. Netherlands 5:27.98; 4. Australia 5:28.67; 5. Poland 5:30.34; 6. Ukraine 5:42.19

NB. First four join heat winners Germany and USA in Wednesday’s final, which starts at 1030.