Rio 2016: Kimberley Brennan advances in women's single sculls rowing despite poor conditions
Wind and choppy waters on the Rodrigo de Freitas Lake has caused anxious moments for rowers on the opening day of the Olympic rowing regatta on Saturday, with gold medal contender Kimberly Brennan just avoiding a major setback.
A Serbian boat sank and Egyptian rower Nadia Negm said she felt "like a Viking" as waves lapped over the boats.
The regatta kicked off with a samba band playing on the finishing line pontoon. But as the morning drew on, the winds whipped up the waters, especially in the lagoon's less-sheltered middle section, making for slow times.
It became a real test of the rowers' skill and a lot of crabs were caught.
Australian Brennan, favourite for the gold medal in the women's single sculls, almost became an early casualty. She left it until late in her heat to overhaul Korea's Kim Yeji for third spot and a qualifying place, avoiding the repechage.
She tipped a good bucket-load of water out of her boat at the finish. Brennan, hoping to become the first non-European rower to win Olympic gold in the women's single sculls, only managed 14th place in the heat rankings, which were topped by Mexico's Kenia Lechuga Alanis.
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