IT HAS been a very promising start for Gloucestershire's rowers in the heats of the opening World Cup of the season in Sydney, their first opportunity to race internationally since the Olympic Games.
Gloucester's Beth Rodford had a very busy start to the new season, racing in both the women's eight and the women's double sculls.
The women's eight won their heat over Olympic silver medallists Canada to escape the repechage and progress directly to the final in one of the last races of the day.
The final of the women's eight will be on the BBC red button at 01.30am UK time on Sunday where Great Britain will face Australia, who beat the USA, London 2012 Olympic gold medallists.
In the women's double, Rodford and partner Victoria Thornley raced an in-form New Zealand crew, finishing second.
This means they will race again tomorrow in the repechage for another chance to make the final and race for World Cup medals.
The repechage of the women's double sculls will be at 10.12pm UK time today while the final will be live on the BBC red button at 12.15am UK time on Sunday.
Nailsworth naval officer Pete Reed, Wormington's Alex Gregory and Chipping Campden's Matt Gotrel won their tactical preliminary race for lanes late last night UK time to claim the most favoured lane four in the final.
Traditional men's eight powerhouse the United States of America started fast but were no match for the very strong crew in the closing quarter of the race.
This is the first time the World Cup series has been staged in Sydney, and the first international regatta at the regatta course in Penrith since the 2000 Olympic Games.
