Kayaking: Fouhy through to K1 1000 semis

Ben Fouhy overcome a tough head wind and a tenacious Slovenian opponent to win his K1 1000 heat and progress to the semi-finals at the world kayaking championships on a sun-drenched day in Hungary.

The Olympic silver medal winner led from start to finish, but says the heat was much more competitive than he expected, with the times closely bunched.

Fouhy's time of three minutes 50.6 was the third fastest of any in the heats, and he says it was actually quite a fast time considering the conditions, although it was slow by normal world best standards against a brisk south-easterly.

He says he wanted to maintain his form but not throw everything at the opening race, but he managed to keep his technique tight, which is what brought him success at Athens two years ago.

However, Fouhy's problems were easier than the adversity faced by the K2 1000 women.

Alarm set in for the pair of veteran Katie Pocock and rookie Erin Taylor during the race as they lost pace to finish fifth.

Pocock says one of the seats in the boat had been incorrectly put in, which at least provided some reassurance about their performance.

Pocock is confident the mystery of the leaning seat has been resolved for the rest of the regatta.

Others through to semifinals include Steven Ferguson in the K1 500, the men's and women's K2 1000 , the women?s K2 500 and the men?s K4 1000.

The men's K4 500 missed out.

- NEWSTALK ZB