The Netherlands' Ymkje Claevering and Veronique meester sped into the final of the Olympic women's pair rowing event at Vaire-sur-Marne Nautical Stadium with the best time on Wednesday, as the hot weather from Tuesday gave way to cloudy skies.

In the first semifinal, the Dutch pair finished the course of 2000 metres in 7:10.16, almost four seconds quicker than Australia who had won the morning's second semi. The two Dutch crews are joined by Romania, Greece and the US in the final.

In the men's pair, the competition was more intense, as less than 3 seconds separated the three top places in the second semifinal. Romania, Britain, and Ireland had secured their final spots, while Croatia, Switzerland, and Spain joined them from the previous semi.

The first rowing medals will be awarded on Wednesday, after four days of heats. Reporting by Philip O'Connor, Editing by Ken Ferris

(source: Reuters)