Lack's tough task to make final

ROWING
Hawke's Bay Rowing Club's Simon Lack was today competing for a berth in the premier men's single scull final at the Lake Karapiro-hosted national championships.
East Coast Rowing Association's development officer Dave Rodger was tipping Lack to finish third in his semifinal and thus secure a berth in the final. Lack is up against last year's runner-up and world silver medallist Nathan Cohen and Hamish Bond of the North End Club in his semifinal along with others he beat in his heat.
Lack's doubles partner and world singles champion Mahe Drysdale of the West End club is in the second and easier semifinal.
Seven Hawke's Bay club crews were starting in semifinals today. Michael Harrison and Alana Bayly were carrying the club's hopes in the men's and women's club single sculls respectively.
The men's club double of Blair Harrison and Cameron Smith and women's club double of Bayly and Kate Barker yesterday qualified for today's semifinals.
The Bay's men's novice fours have drawn each other in the first semifinal. The No1 crew of Jason Kitchen, Jack Crawford, Maia Solomon and Daniel Starkey with coxwain Nic Mogford won their heat on Tuesday and should reach the final. The No2 crew of Jack Steiner, Rodney Poulen, Hamish McKinley, Caleb Te Weehi and coxwain Lauren Keesing will have to finish in the top four of their semifinal this morning to reach the final.
World junior champion Emma Twigg was a comfortable winner of her premier single sculls heat and will have Hamilton's American import Michelle Guerette as her main contender. Caroline Evers-Swindell, representing the Hamilton club, was tipped to win her semifinal.