Despite a poor start Lisa Carrington has qualified for the women's K1 200m semifinal.
The former Ohope paddler was second behind her main rival for Olympic gold Hungarian paddler Natasa Douchev-Janics who won in a time of 41.221 with Carrington 41.401 and Russian Natalia Robova 42.447.
Racing in the first
of four heats Carrington was caught slightly off guard at the start of the race but was soon into her stride and by the 50m mark had powered through to take the lead.
The 23-year-old looked strong the entire race and needed to finish in the top six to qualify for the semi in just over an hour's time. By the 180m mark the Hungarian was neck and neck with Carrington and over took her just before the line.
Carrington will race in the first semi of three, with just the first two from each heat automatically going through to the final plus the two best third place finishers which will run tomorrow at 9.14pm (NZ time).
Results heat 1 women's K1 200m: Natasa Douchev-Janics HUN 41.221, 1; Lisa Carrington NZL 41.401, 2; Natalia Lobova RUS 42.447, 3; Hnriette Hansen DEN 42.866, 4; Emilie Fournel CAN 43.117, 5; Carrie Johnson USA 43.355, 5; Norma Murabito ITA 43.820, 6; Geraldine Lee SIN 45.552, 7.
