After our performance in the first heat, we felt that we where in with a chance but it was tight. Although the Kiwi pair where in a class of their own we concentrated on the Poles who finished 7^th in the world cup in Lucerne, so after rowing through them the last 500mtrs our confidence was high.

I still thought that we needed to improve on our technique, so most of the time we used to make adjustments to the boat up to the repercharge where we had drawn the strong pair from S Africa (7^th in Eton 2006) and Slovenia.

We finished 2^nd behind S Africa beaten by just over 2 seconds and Slovenia 3^rd 4 second behind us. So once again reason to believe that our chances for qualification to Beijing where looking good. So now we where in the semi finals where we once again rowed against the Kiwi’s

The weather conditions where not in our favour there was a strong crosswind, which gave the others and us quite some problems.

Our start was not one of the best starts we had rowed and already by the 500 metre mark we where last 3 seconds after NZ. This position held until 1500 metres, over the last 500 metres we put in a finishing spurt that put us passed USA and Croatia. Finishing 4^th.

I was still not happy with the adjustments we had made to the boat but I had a good idea what was needed, but as most rowers know that making adjustments just before the most important race of the year is not the best time.

I decided that I must move Morten’s stretcher towards the stern, we done this without any questions asked and I must say that was the best decision I have ever made. Morten felt quite good about it. I was feeling very happy about it to, to me it looked as if it was the best that I have seen them row and I was very confident for their race.

B-Final

So who was going to be the unlucky pair?

Well our start was much better than in the semis ,we flew off and got a early lead , at the 500 meter mark we where leading the field with Polen close after us and USA 2 seconds after, my thoughts where just as long as we have one crew behind us then all is well. Thomas and Morten where looking good, rowing the race with authority.

At the 1000meters, we where lying in 2^nd place just a half a second behind Croatia who had shot through  the field from 500 to 1000m. the position was the same at the 1500m  but now all the others crews where ready to put in their final burst to the finish and what a finish it was going to be. USA where the first crew to put in their burst and what a burst it was, lying last at the 1500m they rowed up to 2^nd place with Germany and Poland pushing each other and passing us with 200mt. left. All this time I was watching Thomas & Morten to see if they could keep together, with 100mt´s left now lying in 5^th place and only Canada behind us I knew they where not going to let the Canadians row pass. At last, the finishing horn was sounded for the 5^th time.  WE MADE IT. WHAT A RACE,

Four out of 5 crews qualifying for Beijing,

What a way to finish of two frustrating seasons,

7	POL	01:35.00 (2)	03:16.27 (4)	04:57.32 (4)	06:34.38 (7)
8	USA	01:37.43 (6)	03:18.54 (6)	05:00.17 (6)	06:36.08 (8)
9	GER	01:35.38 (3)	03:15.62 (3)	04:57.00 (3)	06:36.32 (9)
10	CRO	01:36.62 (5)	03:14.70 (1)	04:56.21 (1)	06:36.37 (10)
11	DEN	01:34.62 (1)	03:15.21 (2)	04:56.57 (2)	06:37.92 (11)
12	CAN	01:36.17 (4)	03:17.87 (5)	04:58.52 (5)	06:39.29 (12)