KEY POINTS:
Holders Christ's College, Auckland Grammar and Hamilton Boys' High won their heats in tricky crosswinds at Lake Karapiro yesterday to progress straight to Saturday's Maadi Cup senior rowing eights final.
The three runners-up, St Kentigern, Christchurch Boys' High and King's College, also advanced automatically to the final. The last two spots will be decided in repechages today.
Christ's were the quickest of the three winners, posting a slick 6m 0.25s, 6.21s up on St Kentigern. Hamilton Boys' clocked 6m 4.93s and Grammar 6m 6.96s.
In the Levin Cup for senior girls' eights, Christchurch's Rangi Ruru were impressive in winning their heat in 6m 50.13s, 4.61s ahead of Nelson College for Girls, and quicker than defending champions Wanganui Collegiate. Wanganui won a close second heat in 6m 58.53s, just 2.51s ahead of St Margaret's College of Christchurch.
The last six places will be decided by repechage.
