Brabants into semi-final

Tim Brabants chases Denmark's Torsten Tranum

Britain's Tim Brabants eased into the semi-final of the men's K1 sprint after finishing third in his heat.

Brabants took an early lead in the 1000m race but eased back as the first six all qualified for the semi-final.

The heat was won by Denmark's Torsten Tranum in a time of 3:35.84 followed by Pierre Lubac of France. Brabants' time was 3:36.90.

German Lutz Liwowski, the defending Olympic champion, and medal contender Knut Holmann from Norway both won their heats, but Israel's Michael Kolganov posted the fastest heat time in 3:35.487.

Men's C1

Defending Olympic champion Martin Doktor of the Czech Republic was second in his heat of the men's C1 event finishing behind German Andreas Dittmer, a silver medallist in last year's world championships.

World champion Maxim Opalev from Russia was sixth in his heat and must go through Thursday's semifinals in a bid to qualify for the final.

Russian world champions Alexandre Kovalev and Alexandre Kostoglod qualified fastest for Saturday's men's C2 final, winning their heat on Tuesday in a time of 3:37.163.

But Britain's Andrew and Stephen Train failed to qualify from their heat after finishing fourth in a time of 3:59.59.

The first three qualified automatically plus one fastest loser direct to the final, but their time was not quite quick enough.

However they still get another chance in a repechage semi-final.

It was the same story for Paul Darby-Dowman and Ross Sabberton in the men's K2 sprint. They also finished fourth and go into the semi-final.

Italian Antonio Rossi, defending Olympic champion in the K2 event, won his heat with new partner Beniamino Bonomi in 3:14.316 to advance to Saturday's final.

Fischer aims for ninth medal

German great Birgit Fischer was typically dominant in her bid to win a record ninth Olympic canoeing medal with a heat victory in the women's K4 500 metres.

Fischer, 38, who has won five Olympic golds, collected her first gold medal in the women's K1 500m at the Moscow Games in 1980.

She told reporters after Tuesday's heat that she felt the German crew, defending Olympic champions, still had plenty in reserve for Saturday's final.

Reigning world champions Hungary won their heat in 1 minute 33.312 seconds, 0.683 seconds faster than Germany.

Hungary, also reigning world champions in the men's K4, won their heat to go straight to Saturday's final.

Germany, who were half a second behind the Hungarians at last year's world championships, won the other heat.