Britain's top men's boat, the reigning world champion coxless four, was among the eight British crews to qualify for finals from yesterday's first set of semi-finals at the World Championships in Munich.

The coxless four were chased all the way down the course and just held off a closing sprint from France, but even at that, their time was significantly slower than all three of the qualifiers from the other semi-final, so it is clear they will have to be at their best to retain their title.

The single sculler Alan Campbell also won his semi-final yesterday, taking the scalp of the Olympic champion Olaf Tufte of Norway in the process. He now lines up against New Zealand's world champion Mahe Drysdale and Germany's Marcel Hacker in what will be one of the most eagerly-awaited finals of the regatta.

Both the British double scullers and coxless pair put in strong performances yesterday, finishing second in their semis, but when the chips are down in today's finals, both look capable of rising to the challenges.

The British men's team now has qualified crews in seven of the eight Olympic classes for Beijing next year.

The women's squad are also in good shape for next year, with the pair and double joining Katherine Grainger's quadruple sculls crew in the Beijing line-up.

Edinburgh's Danny Harte and his lightweight pairs partner Matthew Beechey race in their re-scheduled repechage race today.