MATTHEW Langridge, from Northwich, will have an opportunity to go for gold at the Olympic Games in Brazil on Saturday.
He was part of Team GB men’s eight that scored a dominant victory in their heat on the water at Rio, qualifying directly for the final this weekend.
They led by half a boat-length over rivals from Netherlands and New Zealand after 500m, a gap that had widened by the race’s half-way mark.
Langridge, along with crewmates Scott Durant, Tom Ransley, Andrew Triggs Hodge, Matt Gotrel, Pete Reed, Paul Bennett, stroke Will Satch and cox Phelan Hill, then maintained that gap through the next quarter.
They crossed the line in 5.34.230 ahead of the Dutch – by whom they were beaten convincingly at a World Cup regatta at Lucerne in May – with the Kiwis in third.
Italy, a late invite to the regatta following Russia’s exclusion, trailed in fourth.
The British, world champions in the boat category for the past three years, will come face-to-face with Germany in Saturday’s race for the top prize.
Their old foes, won gold in London four years ago, were fastest in the second heat ahead of USA.
Langridge, a former Hartford High School pupil who first tried the sport at Northwich Rowing Club as a teenager, has won medals – one silver, the other bronze – in the men’s eight at each of the past two Olympics.
Reaction to follow.
And it's GBR with the top spot directly to A-final in M8+. But what a sprint from NED and NZL. Great race. #rowing #rio2016
— World Rowing (@WorldRowing) August 8, 2016
Controlled dominant heat for men's 8 @GBRowingTeam @TeamGB to make A final #BringOnTheGreat #Rio2016 👏🏼😃🇬🇧 #rowing pic.twitter.com/xFvFJ1a018
— Annamarie Phelps (@PhelpsAnnamarie) August 8, 2016
Stamped their mark from the get-go. The GB men's eight win their heat in style and into the final. Great work! pic.twitter.com/XyzTvM9TkH
— GB Rowing Team (@GBRowingTeam) August 8, 2016
Congratulations to @matt_langridge8 and the rest of the @GBRowingTeam Men's 8+ on the great heat win #Rio2016 drinks in the bar here on Sat!
— Northwich RC (@NorthwichRC) August 8, 2016
M8 currently doing the 'dont look tired" thing whilst breathing through their ears
— Matthew Pinsent (@matthewcpinsent) August 8, 2016
Germany win their heat in the men's eight setting up a GB v GER showdown. Times in the heat don't mean that much but our lads were quicker.
— James Cracknell (@jamescracknell) August 8, 2016
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