Julia Edward stays in lightweight medal hunt

HIGH HOPES: Rotorua's Julia Edward (pictured) and crewmate Lucy Stark placed third in their semifinal to reach the final raced late today in South Korea. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

Rotorua's Julia Edward is in with a chance of winning a medal at the 2013 World Rowing Championships after she qualified for her A Final.

Edward and crewmate Lucy Stark have qualified for the women's lightweight double sculls A Final being held today in South Korea at 6.15pm.

Placing third in their semifinal, they finished behind the United States and winners Italy to qualify for the A Final.

Edward said they were trying to relax ahead of the big race tonight.

"Lucy and I are very pleased to be in the final. This afternoon we will be relaxing and enjoying the success of making the final but [on Saturday] our mindset will be back to racing," she said.

"We know the final is going to be a very close race between the six of us."

Italy will be the crew to beat in the final today, following a dominant season.

If Edward and Stark medal at the championships they will add to their bronze medal last month at the Holland Beker International Regatta in Amsterdam, where they raced in the heavyweight double sculls.