Three medals for NZ rowers

Graham Oberlin-Brown (left) and James Lassche, of New Zealand placed second in the men's lightweight pairs at the World Rowing Championships being held at Lake Karapiro today. Photo / Alan Gibson

Graham Oberlin-Brown and James Lassche powered to a lightweight pairs silver medal to complement a couple of bronzes on a disappointing opening session of finals for New Zealand at the rowing world championships on Lake Karapiro today.

World champions Fabien Tilliet and Jean-Christophe Bette of France had too much class for young New Zealanders Oberlin-Brown and Lassche over the closing stages, having struggled with the slightly choppy conditions early in an exciting final.

The first of 22 A finals over the last three days of the regatta turned into a dogfight as the French claimed early advantage but ceded that to New Zealand at the halfway point of the 2000m race.

However, Tilliet and Bette were back in front with 500m remaining and won in seven minutes, 18.92 seconds, two boat lengths clear of the New Zealanders, who clocked 7min 21.29sec. Canada's Matt Jensen and Rares Crisan were third.

They probably had the best of the conditions, which became more challenging as the session progressed due to strengthening winds.

While Oberlin-Brown and Lassche performed beyond expectations, there was general disappointment among the five other New Zealand crews in action, none of whom threatened to win a gold medal on their home course.

Lightweight double sculls defending champions Storm Uru and Peter Taylor of New Zealand could only secure a bronze medal.

The race was won convincingly by defending champions Zac Purchase and Mark Hunter of Great Britain in 7min 13.47sec with Italy second and the sub-par Uru and Taylor just doing enough to push Canada into fourth.

It was also bronze for the New Zealand men's four of Jade Uru, Simon Watson, Hamish Burson and David Eade in a surprising final.

Little-fancied France won from Greece, with world and Olympic champions Great Britain shut out of the medals in fourth.

New Zealand missed a medal in the women's four when they were last in the four-crew final.

Genevieve Behrent, Alexandra Burnside, Zoe Stevenson and Lucy Spoors couldn't match the pace of more experienced opponents, with the Netherlands powering to victory.

New Zealanders Lucy Strack and Julia Edward were sixth and last in the women's lightweight double sculls final - a race won Canada's Lindsay Jennerich and Tracy Cameron from Germany in a compelling sprint finish.

There was another last placing for New Zealanders Sarah Gray, Fiona Bourke, Genevieve Armstrong and Linda Matthews in a women's quadruple sculls final won by Great Britain.

The only final not involving a New Zealand crew was the men's quad, which was won by favourites Croatia.

- NZPA