Kayaking: Ferguson stands out

Impressive performances from Steve Ferguson and the K2 pair of Scott Bicknell and Troy Burbidge highlighted the second day of competition for New Zealand at the world championships in Nova Scotia yesterday.

Ferguson took second in his K1 1000m semifinal, clocking the third-fastest time across the four races with 3m 30.595s. He also finished second in 1m 45.924s to qualify for the K1 500m final.

Bicknell and Burbidge hung on for third in their K2 1000m semifinal, clocking 3m 18.035s to secure a spot in the final. Their hopes of making the K2 500m final disappeared with a sixth in their semifinal.

Beijing Olympian Erin Taylor finished a disappointing fifth in her semifinal of the K1 500m. High performance manager Wayne Maher said Taylor was "without doubt" in the toughest of the three semifinals.

Earlier in the day, Taylor had impressed with a 4m 01.799s second place in the K1 1000m, the fourth-fastest time over the three semifinals - securing her a berth in tonight's final.

Lisa Carrington and Teneale Hatton also progressed to the K2 1000m final with a second-placed 3m 46.933s in their semifinal but missed out on the K2 500m final.