GB women qualify for quad final

Cannot play media. Sorry, this media is not available in your territory.

Video - GB women's quad win heat

Great Britain's quest for their first ever women's rowing gold is on course as Katherine Grainger's quadruple scull qualified for next Sunday's final.

Although they were two seconds slower than China in the other heat, Grainger said: "Times don't really matter."

Hosts China won three more heats on day two, including men's lightweight fours, taking their total to five so far.

GB's Zac Purchase and Mark Hunter were the fastest qualifiers for the men's lightweight doubles semi-finals.

But the men's and women's eights were forced to wait until Monday to race their heats after a thunderstorm struck the Shunyi rowing lake.

Under heavy skies and with a tailwind, Great Britain's world champion men's lightweight four finished just half a length behind favourites China in their heat, qualifying for the semi-finals.

"They were just a bit too much for us," said crew member James Lindsay-Fynn of the home crew.

Lightweight double scullers Hester Goodsell and Helen Casey must race the repechage after finishing third behind Germany and Canada but were pleased with their showing.

"We knocked off two crews we haven't beaten all season. We really want a place in the A final and that was a good start," said Casey.

We're looking forward to getting alongside the Chinese in the final Debbie Flood - women's quad

Purchase and Hunter put clear water between themselves and Greece - who pushed them into third place in last year's World Championships - to maintain their unbeaten record this year.

"We've tried to forget about the World Cup season because that's completely different," said Hunter.

"It's a great feeling and we just want to keep it going."

The women's quad of Grainger, Frances Houghton, Debbie Flood and Annie Vernon were a little more nervous in the first half of their race, with Germany their main rivals.

But they withstood a push to extend their lead towards the end over Germany, with whom Kathrin Boron is aiming to equal Sir Steve Redgrave's rowing record by winning a fifth gold.

"We got a good start and we're pleased with the performance. We would expect to improve right up to the final", said Grainger.

Flood added: "We're looking forward to getting alongside the Chinese in the final. That will push us even more."

Cannot play media. Sorry, this media is not available in your territory.

Video - Purchase and Hunter cruise into semis